Every teacher knows that no two classrooms are alike. But no matter the school, the region or the year level, there are some challenges that come up again and again. From trying to meet a wide range of learning needs to helping students overcome maths anxiety, teachers face real hurdles every day.

This is what teachers are telling us are the biggest classroom challenges they’ve struggled with and how they’ve addressed them. Here’s what they said.

Challenge 1: Differentiation for every student

Whether you’re teaching in a metro high school or a rural composite class, catering to a broad range of student abilities can feel impossible. Teachers told us this was their number one challenge, and one that Instructive has helped them finally crack.

“The level of differentiation available for the students cannot be managed effectively without the programme.”
— Nicole, Mount St Bernard College

“Differentiated work allows students to fill gaps rather than getting further and further behind. It minimises behaviour management as students are less frustrated due to working at their own pace and their level.”
— Nerida Wallace, Highlands Christian College

“It solves the problem of differentiated teaching perfectly!”
— TsiTsi Chikotie, Leeton High School

“The differentiation is huge. We have such a massive range of abilities in our classes… Instructive allows us to hit all those different levels whenever we need to.”
— Brendan Allen, Iona College

Challenge 2: Identifying and filling learning gaps

Many students arrive in class with significant gaps in their foundational knowledge, but identifying those gaps, let alone addressing them, can be daunting. Teachers using Instructive have found they now have the tools to do both.

“I can see—it is evident—that my students are truly filling in their gaps!”
— Brittany, Mungindi Central School

“This is the best catch-up and filler of skills I have ever seen. ALL my students are now excited about how good they are at maths, with intrinsic motivation.”
— Darren McDonald, ALESCO Senior College

“It quickly identifies areas that need more consolidation.”
— Leanne O’Brien, Jubilee Christian College

“I have been able to really see where all my students are and where their gaps lie so that we can work together to close them.”
— Lisa Parry, Southern Cross Catholic College

Challenge 3: Building student confidence and engagement

Maths anxiety is real, and it’s a huge barrier to learning. Teachers told us they were seeing low confidence and disengagement in their students… until something shifted.

“One of the biggest challenges has been student confidence and overcoming that kind of trauma of maths. I love it, that’s why we brought it in the first place, and it’s still making a difference.”
— Stacy Thomas, Bayview College

“The improvements are amazing, we now have only three students under minimum standards, there is huge excitement here.”
— Linda, San Sisto College

“The students’ growth in confidence in skills has been dramatic.”
— Lisa Parry, Southern Cross Catholic College

“It has allowed each student to chart their own course, tackle content that is individualised and work at a pace that fuels confidence instead of anxiety.”
— Dawn Marsters, Kempsey High School

Challenge 4: Teaching more effectively

Teachers want to do what they do best, teach. But admin burdens and lack of clear data often get in the way. With Instructive, many say they’re finally teaching more efficiently and meaningfully.

“My teaching ability has improved and I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the need for differentiation in the classroom.”
— Liam Cronin, Leeton High School

“The program allows me to teach students at various levels, from grade 1 to Year 10 maths in the same class.”
— Sharon Antonello, Myrtleford P-12 College

“The diagnostic information is fundamental for addressing gaps in learning.”
— Francesca Chilcott, Avenues College

“Without Instructive it was really difficult knowing where the students were at. Now we know. That’s always powerful, particularly in my role, when I’m not their classroom teacher. Even when I was a teacher, it was good to say, here’s the curriculum grid, this is what he knows and doesn’t know – that’s huge!”
— Brendan Allen, Iona College

A genuine approach

Across the country, teachers are using Instructive to meet the needs of every student, and themselves. As one teacher put it:

“Instructive feels like a more genuine approach to education. It’s focused on learning and individual progress, not just meeting standards.”
— Darren Rowe, Northpine Christian College

You can learn more about how Instructive has significantly improved maths outcomes and engagement at schools across Australia here. 

Ready to tackle your own classroom challenges?
Start using Instructive for free for the rest of the year and experience the difference it can make.