Personal experience
My best man has a son, Scott, who is in 9th grade, and has a learning disability. The High School he is in has gone away from textbooks and everything is done via a lap top. But because Scott has a LD such an approach is not working for him, for a multitude of reasons. He really needs to have a good old fashion textbook, and an individual plan to meet his individual needs.
One would think that those involved in educating people with LDs would be keenly aware of the four basic learning styles & make every effort to find the one or ones that give this individual the greatest leaning experience. In our case, we are with the learner for a scant three weeks before they move to another subject & instructor. Which makes it hard to make any real assessments? However, we have implemented an intervention plan whereby someone is tracking the progress of all individuals & can recognize those in need. The plan seems to have some merit even in its early stages
It really depends on the learning disability. Sometimes using the text book and verbally going over the material will be the best way. Other times, it may be using visual material or audio aids to provide the assistance to help the students. Learning the disability is key to helping the student.
My personal experience has been with deaf students. I work in a culinary school and there is a lot of demonstrations and hands on activities. There is always someone that it's there to help them out with sign language but I had to make sure that the helper was on the same page with me. Usually my student would be focused looking at the sign language but not really looking at the demonstration. So I made myself slow down a bit to make sure that I was providing the same visual information to that student.
I have a son who would benefit from the computer based system. He has Asperger's Syndrome and he is going to be starting high school next year. People with Asperger's are very disorganized and need structure. They are usually very good with computers. Since I am familiar with AS, I feel that I can spot adults with the same problem that my son deals with and I can try to help them along.
I believe in back to the basics. If you give them the basics such as vocabulary development and show how that relates to the course content as well as show an intreset in helping that student to succeed, he can feel that he can indeed succeed. Motivation and inspiration can do a lot for the student. Show him/her that you care and will help him with the basics. Without the basics to form a good foundation, further instruction like a building without a good foundation will collapse and the student will end up frustrated.
I have had students with learning disabilities and I have found oral exams to be more successful than written ones.
Hi Ronald, this is a good point; though I certainly use many of the technological resources, I also utilize old-fashioned flip charts (love the self-adhesive giant post-its). I often have student groups use them too as a visual aid to their projects or presentations, and post the flipcharts around the room - it creates a very interactive and engaging environment - a training resource as well.
Thanks for your observations.
Jay
ED106 Facilitator
This is so true. In the old days there were no doubt many students who had textbooks and needed something else. Now we get away from textbooks and use another delivery method. Guess what? A plain old textbook is sometimes just the thing. It just proves that we have to be sensitive of individual needs no matter what technology era we are in.
Yes, this is often a problem. Sometimes educators get so enthralled by all the latest gizmos that they lose sight of the benefits of older methods of instruction. They really can be just like little kids! Your friend needs to be more proactive here and start to fight for what Scott really needs!
Dr. Kendra Gaines
