What must be discouraged is the idea that the written word is the most important way to express ideas, and that drawing or illustrating is done only by students who are unable to express themselves in the more vital written format. When all methods of expression considered of equal value and all students are encouraged to express their views in different ways, the students will begin to see all methods as having equal value.
Many teachers will have concerns related to the seeming de-emphasis on reading and writing skills. The examples of alternate methods of student performance are an attempt to emphasize different presentation techniques, not to suggest that reading and writing be avoided. The intention is to ensure that attempts are made through various teaching styles to reach all students. All students should be able to appreciate and understand the main idea taught. There is no attempt to suggest that students will not be expected to read selections or write responses where appropriate.
However, some students will be unable to succeed with the prescribed material, and alternate materials will have to be used so all students can attempt similar activities. Many strategies can he used for reading adaptations, including using textbooks or library books at a lower reading level, taping books, highlighting pertinent materials in textbooks with a coloured marker, providing study guides or outlines of the major concepts, or rewriting material at a lower reading level (Schulz and Turnbull, 1984). These methods still place an emphasis on reading and writing but at the student’s appropriate level.
Use of Bloom’s Taxonomy
Assignments should not only allow for different modes of presentation,
but should be written at different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (Bloom, 1969).
That way, students who need to be challenged more than they are by the
regular curriculum will have activities at their level; and students who
have difficulty doing work at the grade level will have activities that
allow them to express their knowledge in a different format.
