The ability of the students in the class are often highly variable. Most students already know a lot, some do not know at all about the material being taught in class. If teachers follow student the first group, the second group was to miss the train, which is not able to capture the lessons learned. Conversely, if teachers follow the second group, ie starting from the bottom, the first group will be felt not learn anything and bored. To overcome this, there are two approaches that can be selected: first, students adjust to the subject matter and the second, on the contrary, the subject matter tailored to the student.
The first approach, students adjust to the subject matter, can be done as follows:
1. Selection admissions
- At the time of enrollment students are required to have a relevant educational background with education programs that take.
- Once qualified the above registration, students take a test entry in the knowledge and skills appropriate to the educational programs that will be taken.
This selection process is often carried out by formal educational institutions such as universities in selecting prospective students to enter universities and private high schools students who want to choose a good candidate.
2. Tests and grouping of students
After doing the selection as described in point one, there is still the possibility of teachers face the problem of heterogeneity of students taking a particular subject. Therefore, needs to be done before the test to classify students attend classes that may follow these subjects.
3. Pass the prerequisite subjects.
Another alternative to the above two items are required of students who have passed the prerequisite subjects. In an educational program in college courses are a fraction of that kind.
The second approach, tailored to the student learning materials. This approach requires almost no admissions selection. Basically, anyone can go in and follow the lesson. Students who still do not know at all can learn the subject matter from the bottom because the subject matter is supplied from that level. Students who already know a lot can start from the middle or from the top. Learning materials that are designed to accommodate students in any level of initial ability. Furthermore, students can progress at their own pace according to, because the material is designed for it.
The second approach above when done to the extreme, there is no appropriate to address the heterogeneity problem students in regular education system. Therefore, there is a third approach which combines the above two approaches. The third approach has the following characteristics:
- Selecting admissions on the basis of background or diploma. Selection is usually more administrative in nature.
- Carry out tests to determine the capabilities and characteristics of the early students. This test is not used to select students, but to be used as basis in preparing learning materials.
- Formulate appropriate instructional materials to student ability and baseline characteristics.
- Using an instructional system that allows students to progress according to the speed and capabilities of each.
- Provide supervision to students on an individual basis.
Of the three approaches above, there are tests given to determine students' initial ability. Early behavior and characteristics of students is an important consideration in formulating instructional system so that objectives can be achieved with good results.