Given the robust nature of learning sciences research, this website is best viewed on tablets and computers. A small screen experience is coming in the future.
On June 22, 2021, we will launch updated strategies for the Math PK-2 model, as well as additional updates to the Navigator that highlight equity, SEL, and culturally responsive teaching. To learn more, visit our Site Updates (available in the "About" menu at the top of any page).
Hover to see how factors connect to Vocabulary. Then click connected factors to explore strategies related to multiple factors.
Helping students build their Vocabulary helps them understand what they are reading. When readers come across unfamiliar words, comprehension breaks down.
Vocabulary knowledge involves stored sound patterns (phonology) and mental representations of meanings.
There are four distinctions within a learner’s Vocabulary.
Typically, Vocabulary growth is relatively slow until a learner has 50-100 Productive/Expressive Vocabulary words, usually at the end of the second year of life. At this point, a sudden jump in development (“vocabulary spurt”) is common where learners add 10-20 new words per week.
Teachers support language development by using and providing Vocabulary that is appropriately leveled (e.g. using Word Wall words).
Providing plenty of space for students promotes socially cooperative play and collaboration.
Audiobooks allow students to hear fluent reading and to experience books above their reading skills.
Maintaining consistent classroom routines and schedules ensures that students are able to predict what will happen next.
Easy access to common words promotes sight word recognition as students see the words repeatedly.
Students activate more cognitive processes by exploring and representing their understandings in visual form.
Daily review strengthens previous learning and can lead to fluent recall.
With this interactive technique, teachers help students become story-tellers by listening and questioning.
Free play supports learner interests and allows more complex social interactions to develop.
Visualizing how ideas fit together helps students construct meaning and strengthen recall.
Spending time with new content helps move concepts into Long-Term Memory.
Independent reading promotes reading development by emphasizing student choice with teacher support in selecting books, as well as by making time for free reading.
Practicing until achieving several error-free attempts is critical for retention.
This program provides individualized student instruction based on Assessment-to-Instruction Technology.
Rhyming, alliteration, and other sound devices reinforce language development by activating the mental processes that promote memory.
Providing physical representations of concepts helps learners activate mental processes.
Teachers sharing text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world connections models this schema building.
A parent evening meeting about how to support literacy at home with one follow-up meeting with each family has shown strong results for students' reading development.
Reading aloud helps students to hear and practice reading and fluency skills.
Visuals help students recognize relationships within words and sentences to develop reading skills.
The prime time to engage families as positive partners in support of their students is the start of the year.
Talking with students about what they know about the topic of upcoming work helps activate their Background Knowledge or reveals gaps.
Students are more likely to come to school when families feel like a valued part of the community.
Reading aloud regularly exposes students to new and familiar vocabulary and texts.
Reading aloud books about skills children are learning provides another model for their development.
Students build their confidence and skills by reading and rereading books.
Books for vision differences support reading development for learners with visual needs.
Books of varying complexity and reading levels are necessary for all students to experience reading success.
Multicultural and Primary Language books are critical for supporting all students.
With rhyming and creative word use, poetry is a genre that supports the development of early literacy skills in particular.
Books with SEL topics, such as developing friendships and identifying emotions, help teach these skills.
Connecting information to music and/or dance moves enhances memory by drawing on auditory processes and the cognitive benefits of physical activity.
Consistent, clear policies help families understand attendance and behavioral expectations and build trust in their enforcement.
Incorporating multiple senses with strategies like chewing gum, using a vibrating pen, and sitting on a ball chair supports focus and Attention.
Taking breaks from work, especially ones that encourage physical activity or calming routines, helps students reset their brains and learn how to maintain focus.
A talking piece passed around a circle invites equal participation.
Transforming written text into audio activates different parts of the brain to support learning.
Tossing a ball, beanbag, or other small object activates physical focus in support of mental focus.
Spaces that are structured, organized, and clean provide calming environments.
Having students verbally repeat information such as instructions ensures they have heard and supports remembering.
Drawing or performing an action activates more cognitive processes for recall and learning.
Research shows physical activity improves learner focus and creativity.
A web dictionary can serve as a resource for students to expand their Vocabulary knowledge.
Students with strong early literacy skills benefit from a literacy-rich approach.
Puzzles and games help students visualize how to connect one fact to another.
Actively manipulating word parts deepens a student's understanding of the way words are formed.
A word wall helps build Vocabulary for reading fluidity.
Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This is our homepage. You can access many of the features of the Navigator here, and learn more about how learner variability intersects with topics in education and learning. To start, select a content area – we call them Learner Models – to visit a factor map.
Factor maps show research-based concepts, "factors," that likely impact learning. They are organized into four categories: Learner Background, Social and Emotional Learning, Cognition, and Content Area. The map is interactive. Move your cursor over a factor to see connected factors. Select any factor to visit its summary page. We'll look at factor summary pages next.
This is a factor summary page. It provides a brief definition and review of the factor, a factor connections diagram, additional resources, and strategies that support this factor. On the strategy card, the multi-colored boxes show all the factors that it supports. Select a strategy to visit its summary page.
Strategy summary pages have an overview, information about using the strategy in different learning environments, resources of interest, the factors this strategy supports, and related strategies you can explore. To view all the strategies in a content area, use the strategies tab at the top of the page. We'll look at all the Strategies for this learner model next.
The strategy page shows ALL of the strategies for that learner model. You can select factors of interest for you or your learners, and it will narrow the strategies to only those that match all of the factors selected. This makes it easy to find key strategies to better design for learner variability. Again, select the strategy name to visit its summary page.
Already a user? LOG IN
Are you sure you want to delete this Workspace?
Enter the email address of the person you want to share with. This person will be granted access to this workspace and will be able to view and edit it.
Adjust the permissions of your Workspace.
This Workspace is .
This Workspace's Reflection Area is .
Learner variability is the recognition that each learner is a unique constellation of strengths and challenges that are interconnected across the whole child. Understanding these connections and how they vary according to context is essential for meeting the needs of each learner.
It disrupts the notion of a one-size-fits all education. Understanding learner variability helps educators embrace both students’ struggles and strengths as we connect practice to uplifting the whole learner.
Throughout the site, we talk about "factors" and "strategies." Factors are concepts research suggests have an impact on how people learn. Strategies are the approaches to teaching and learning that can be used to support people in how they learn best.
Use the Learner Centered Design Tool to build a workspace. Go to Learner Centered Design Tool.
Or, create a new blank workspace for your product or project.
Use one of the guided tools to build a workspace.
Or, create a new blank workspace for your product or project.
Make a copy of this workspace.
Redirecting soon...
Generating summary page
Loading...
On this page, using your heatmap, you will be asked to select factors to further explore, and then select new strategies you might incorporate into upcoming instruction. Once done, click “Show Summary" to view your Design Summary Report.
On this page, using your heatmap, you will be asked to select factors to further explore, and then select new strategies you might incorporate into upcoming instruction. Once done, click “Show Report” to view your Design Summary Report.
By selecting "Show Report" you will be taken to the Assessment Summary Page. Once created, you will not be able to edit your report. If you select cancel below, you can continue to edit your factor and strategy selections.
Announcement here
Item successfully added to workspace!
Issue adding item to workspace. Please refresh the page and try again.
Learner variability is the recognition that each learner is a unique constellation of strengths and challenges that are interconnected across the whole child. Understanding these connections and how they vary according to context is essential for meeting the needs of each learner. It embraces both students’ struggles and strengths. It considers the whole child.
Throughout the site, we talk about "factors" and "strategies." Factors are concepts research suggests have an impact on how people learn. Strategies are the approaches to teaching and learning that can be used to support people in how they learn best.
The Learner Variability Navigator is a free, online tool that translates the science of learner variability into factor maps and strategies that highlight connections across the whole learner. This puts the science of learning at teachers' fingertips, empowering them to understand their own practice and support each learner.
