You do not need to be informed of a students learning disability. You can tell the first couple days of class by quizes, reading comprehension of the material, and a written assignment (not done on computer with spell check) to determine if they will need reasonable accomidations or your extra time as an instructor, as we should give them.
I'm lucky I guess. In my teaching experience (all adults), I haven't come across students with learning disabilities.
I have not encountered many students with learning disabilities, but the two that I have had in the past were given additional time for testing. However, because they do not disclose the actual disability to us, I do not know what the specific disability was.
These confidential discussions can be so helpful to the instructor and the student. The student will feel that someone cares about his/her progress, and the instructor knows that adjustments in the course delivery might have to be made. In my classes I see quite a few ELL students (mostly Hispanic) who struggle with English. Often they will try to spell out words as they've heard them spoken ("gonna" instead of "going to","wanna", etc.)
Mild to severe problems with reading comprehension are the most common in my experience. Most of the students I have encountered are either unaware of the issue or do not choose to share their diagnosis, but I would probably guess it is dyslexia. The characteristics include difficulty understanding and following written instruction and low reading comprehension. Half the classes I teach are programming classes, so I usually see it most clearly when students are attempting to copy code out of the text book while doing in-class assignments.
Kari,
yes, dyslexia is a very common disability. The one positive in this is that as it has become more recognized there is more information on how to help these students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Kari,
yes, dyslexia is a very common disability. The one positive in this is that as it has become more recognized there is more information on how to help these students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Math is the most common learning disability I have dealt with. Fustration, sighing, not doing homework. For most individuals it has caused a negative attitude in class.
Dyslexia - My brother and a close co-worker suffer from this. Slower to read and write. Benefit from shorter definitions, reading assignments, and breaking new information into small points.
Ziaul,
could you explain your answer a little more?
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
The learning disability I have encountered most is dyslexia. The frustration is often evident when the student tries to comprehend written instructions. The most common accommodations in my limited experience, are providing a test reader and allowing more time for exams and assignements.
The most common learning disability that I have encountered with my classes is the students who have difficulty with short-term memory and memorizing concepts. These students often need things repeated several times before they can understand the lesson. When presented with vocabulary words or comprehension exercises, these students need the words and definitions broken down several ways in order for them to fully understand the words.
Jeanie,
yes students who are dyslexic often can be very successful if we take the time to provide the help & support they need.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have only dealt with one diagnosed dyslexic student in my experience thus far. He will ask a question and then realize that he wasn't reading the text/question accurately and correct himself before I answer him usually. So I might pause an extra second before answering sometimes. He is a very bright and intelligent student, and other than that one small thing, you would never know he was dyslexic at all.
Dyslexia is the most common form that I have come up against. Many of these students ask for more handouts and outlines of each class. Many of them achieve high grades. I have had one student who needed more time on tests, but has turned out to be an A student in my class.
Donald,
and I think just taking a little extra time, as you have done, helps greatly in assisting these students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Language barrier is one of the most common learning barrier that I encounter. I have to spend time in presenting the materials and followup with these students.
Since they have passed basic classes before they go through the advanced classes, the barrier is a small one.
Denise,
I think these are both great ways to help those students who may be struggling.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I also find myself in the process of identifying the presence of students with learning disabilities. This is not always easy and can sometimes take time to surface before it is addressed.
