I like to use spacing, underlining and boxing text to held the reader take little pauses during reading. This includes handouts, notes on the board, class cotent on the portal,e-mails and tests.This can benefit everyone ,not just the students with learning disabilities.
Great point .the track is as fast as the slowest runner.
Hi David!
All very good ideas for working with challenged students. I, also, think that it is important students to slow down and take their time trying not to get frustrated.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
What kind of instructional support is helpful to students with learning disabilities?
There is a balance between instructional support and criticism. Adult students with learning disabilities may have developed effective coping skills. If an instructor discovers learning problems the student often denies any learning issues. However, to identify a learning problem and offer help it must be done without embarrassing the student.
I am an advocate in addressing problems within my grading comments. I copy and paste what he student wrote. Then explain the problems in his/her writings. Then I offer my support. This method allows the student to see his/her writing errors then allow the student to ask for help; without out anyone suspecting the student need help. I allow more time for assignments and redo’s. I spend more time at detailing classroom presentations. What I found is the entire class benefits and the class overall grades improves.
After the learning disabilities are determined an effective plan can be put into action.If it is language based ,reading the sentence and seperating words as not to run together would be helpful. Extended time is also as well as an enviroment setting for the disabilities is recommended.Putting written material in boxes in bold print is helpful. Video recording or taping mayerial is useful as well as asking about IEP and what has worked in the past.
Allowing a student to have more time to do an assignment or take a test will take away alot of anxiety that builds up in students that often inhibit the process of learning. Another support idea is to put the student in a quiet room with no windows to limit distractions so they can focus on the material in front of them.
Giving more time to the student and patience. I myself have had a learning disabiltity. I can understand the frustation that a student can have we learning new material.
Hi Gary!
I agree that with the more disabled student that we will need additional staff support.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
A strong support staff that helps an instructor with students wiht disabilities.Example reading a test to them and giving them extra time.
Anne - an absolutely perfect approach. Building relationships is very strengthening both for learning and for emotional support.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I keep changing my teaching method until I can reach the learner.
A student will need more time as well as different techniques of learning. Every student does not learn the same and sometimes this is mistaken as a disability.
Definitely, giving the student more time for the assignment.
I agree with the theme of "giving them more time" that is prevalent throughout a lot of the postings. It's also appropriate to use other methods of support, recorded presentations, videos and other visual aids that can support the subject material.
I believe that these identified learning difficulties have been acknowledged by some in the past. We are now consumed with multicultural languages as well as socioeconomic diversion that it demands growth in support.
More time is the key to most of my previous student's requests to making a course successful to them. Most of my classes are geared to hands-on learners. Being tactile and kinesthetic is a good way to teach students with learning disabilities.
I think it is important for the student to let you know what support has worked for them in the past. I teach graphic design, and my students come in telling me they are visual learners. It helps me to know I should be showing examples or drawing examples on the board.
I also try to give the student more time and may also pair up students as study buddies. As many times the discussion between the student with the disability and their buddy helps their learning and retention of the knowledge
Hi Derrick!
Instructional support is definitely part of the job and it is an added bonus for students and colleagues when we bring compassion.
Good job!
Jane davis
ED106 Facilitator
