Contextual Factors Standard The teacher uses information about the learning/teaching context and student individual differences to set learning goals and objectives, plan instruction, and assess learning. Task Discuss the relevant contextual factors and how they may affect the teaching/learning process in your classroom. Include any supports and challenges present that affect instruction and student learning. Prompt Address the following in your written discussion: Community, District, School, and Classroom Factors o Describe the geographic location, community and school populations, socio-economic profile, and race/ethnicity statistics of the community, district, and school. You might also address such things as stability of community, political climate, community support for education, and other environmental factors. Discuss how these factors impact student learning in your classroom. o Describe the physical features, availability of equipment and resources, and the extent of parental involvement related to the classroom. You might also address other relevant factors, such as classroom rules and routines, grouping patterns, scheduling, and classroom arrangement. Discuss how these factors impact student learning in your classroom. Student Characteristics o Describe the number of students in your classroom and the overall makeup of the student population. Address the language, race, gender, interests, and culture factors that are relevant to your learning goals and objectives. You should also include relevant factors such as exceptional abilities and disabilities of the students in your classroom. Discuss how these factors impact student learning in your classroom. Approaches to Learning o Describe the various approaches to learning of the students in your classroom. You might address the students' achievement and developmental levels, learning styles, and learning modalities that are relevant to your learning goals and objectives. Discuss how these factors impact student learning in your classroom. Students' Skills and Prior Learning o Describe the students' skills and prior knowledge relevant to your learning goals and objectives. Discuss how these factors impact student learning in your classroom. Implications for Instructional Planning and Assessment o Reflect on how the contextual factors you've already discussed and the individual student differences in the classroom will influence your instructional planning and assessment. Address how these factors influence the instructional strategies, teaching style, grouping patterns, classroom routines, etc. Supports and Challenges o Reflect on the supports and challenges that may affect instruction and student learning. Address the accommodations for diverse learners, the abundance or lack of resources, and any other challenges you may anticipate.