How A Diagnostic Approach Can Accelerate Student Learning

A one-size-fits-all approach just doesn’t always work in the classroom. Each student is unique, with different skills, backgrounds, and abilities, so it makes sense that not everyone will respond well to the same methods of learning. This is where diagnostic learning, or diagnostic assessment, comes in.

So what is diagnostic learning? It's a process where teachers closely observe students before the learning begins, working out their strengths, weaknesses, and prior knowledge on the subject. Then, lesson plans can be tailored to meet their needs.

How does diagnostic assessment support learning? And why is it so important in the classroom? Here’s a guide to help parents understand why this approach is worth considering.

What is a diagnostic approach in teaching?
Teachers generally use diagnostic learning both before and after the lesson is delivered to ensure they understand what the students already know on a topic, establishing a baseline of knowledge.

It’s also used by teachers on an individual level, working with students to determine how learning works best for them, considering their behaviors, emotions, and abilities.

So, what is the purpose of diagnostic assessment in the classroom? Essentially, it’s used by teachers to work out how to teach information in the best possible way for students, while also taking into account what knowledge they already have on the subject.

The benefits: How a diagnostic approach can accelerate student learning
If you want to give your child every possible advantage, diagnostic learning can help. One of the biggest benefits is that it’s customized, so each lesson can be tailored to your student’s preferred way of learning.

When children are taught in a way that makes sense to them, they’re going to learn faster and retain information better. This method is also very flexible for teachers, so if one avenue of learning isn’t proving effective, they can switch to another.

Diagnostic learning has a range of other benefits, including:

1. Teachers can identify learning gaps
Diagnostic assessments are very helpful to teachers for easily identifying gaps in their students’ knowledge base. Even if the material has been previously taught, not all children retain information at the same speed, so teachers can spend their classroom time more efficiently if they can determine learning gaps before beginning a lesson.

2. No special tools are needed
Diagnostic learning doesn’t require any expensive technology or special tools. Instead, it just needs a caring and perceptive teacher who’s able to interact with students, read through their homework, and adjust their lesson plans to suit the needs of the classroom.

3. Motivating and inspiring students
If students are being taught material they already know, or lessons that are way above their abilities, they will quickly lose focus. Imagine you’re being taught something that makes no sense to you – most likely, you’ll lose interest or get frustrated and switch off mentally.

This is part of why diagnostic learning is so important. By experiencing lessons that are better suited to their abilities, students are going to feel motivated, inspired, and encouraged to learn.

If you want your child to develop a lifelong love of learning, it’s vital that their education is tailored to their needs and abilities.

4. Versatile
This versatile teaching method works with students of any age, including adults. It can also be used across all school subjects, from English to chemistry.

Are there any negatives to diagnostic learning?

Some students can get lost in the crowd of a busy classroom, unfortunately, as teachers don’t always have the time or resources to focus on each child as much as needed.

As you can imagine, the diagnostic learning method is time-consuming. If your child is in a large classroom and you feel they’re not getting enough personalized attention, consider individual tutoring sessions using diagnostic assessment.

How is diagnostic learning implemented?
There are plenty of ways for teachers to use diagnostic learning. It can start with just observing and talking to students, getting their opinions on school, subjects, and their attitudes towards learning.

Parent–teacher meetings are also an important part of the process, since they give teachers space to learn about any challenges, learning or behavioral issues, or areas of special interest for each student.

Teachers also have lots of diagnostic learning tools they can use to measure learning. While tests are probably the best-known example, there are other ways to measure how much a child can learn.

These can include having students:

• Write essays
• Deliver presentations
• Create posters or art projects to showcase their knowledge on a topic
• Completing surveys
• Collaborate on group projects

Tasks and activities like these are used for giving students grades, but they have more value than that alone. By grading and reviewing student work, teachers gain clarity on their students’ understanding. For example, if the majority of a class scores poorly on an exam, this should provide guidance to teaching staff that the material isn't being taught in a way that students are understanding.

Can I use diagnostic learning to help my child at home?
As parents, you want your child to succeed in school – but can diagnostic learning also be used at home? Yes! Parents can incorporate diagnostic learning into home life.

One easy way to start, if you’re not already doing it, is by reviewing your child’s homework after they’ve completed it. This helps you see if your child is correctly understanding what they’re being taught – if they’re not, this is going to be reflected in their report cards and their experience at school.

You can also ask your child to describe what they learned each day. The more informed you are about what your child is learning, the easier it is to understand how they’re tracking. If your child seems to be struggling with homework, or can’t articulate what they learned each day, talk to their teacher to see what’s going wrong.

Together, you can help your child accelerate their education with the assistance of diagnostic learning.

 

Featured image by Camilo Franco on Unsplash