For quite some time now, research has shown that different students learn in different ways.

When training to become educators in college, teachers are taught various ways to teach all of their pupils the same lesson, catering to different learning types in order to best fit the needs of each student.

In recent years, schools have taken these student-centered teaching tactics to the next level by creating entire programs that fit different types of learners.

Despite the push for common core education that forces all students to learn the same material, today’s student doesn’t simply have one option, but several.

Some students spend the majority of their day one-on-one with teachers dedicated to small groups of students. Some students attend college classes in place of general education high school courses — and many graduate high school with an associate’s degree or a significant dent in their bachelor’s degree. Some schools offer college credit courses right in their own buildings, and others can earn college credit by taking advanced placement tests in classes taught by high school teachers.

Schools all over the region participate in Andrews University’s Math and Science Center, where left-brained students can excel. Plenty of students spend their days in hospitals or in career and technical education programs, earning experience in potential fields of work before they ever graduate high school.

Students at Niles New Tech spend their days working in groups, and the Northside Montessori school focuses on a hands-on approach to learning.

Students at Cassopolis schools have the opportunity to focus on agriculture in their studies through the school’s Ag program.

The list of new learning methods truly goes on and on, and it just keeps growing.

Next week, Brandywine will celebrate a brand new learning method students can benefit from.

The Brandywine Innovation Academy, a virtual learning program, provides participating students with a Google Chromebook where they can work from home at any time day or night.

The program will cater to students who may not perform well in a traditional classroom setting, but will also offer an opportunity for students who wish to finish their high school education more quickly. Students who wish to learn online but still participate in athletics and other Brandywine programs also benefit from the academy.

I’m so impressed by all of the different learning options our students have available to them, and proud of my alma mater for this new opportunity. With so many educators so focused on serving today’s generation of students, I can only imagine the great things they will be able to accomplish in their future.

 

Ambrosia Neldon is the managing editor at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7713, or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com.