Slow Learners
It gets hard when you have one or two students that are having trouble and are slowing the class down. I try to give them special assignments to help them learn the material.
I think that is a great way to help with that situation. That way they have a base knowledge of what you are talking about. It may ease their minds about not understanding a topic quickly.
serena,
this is a great way of demonstrating understanding & flexibility in working with the students. These actions help & also they feel more comfortable with you as the instructor & this aids in their learning as well.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have a small class and I would consider the students slower than most. I has asked each student to tell me how they learn the best. One told me that he dislikes the textbook but likes the actual powerpoint. Another is a slow reader so I allow class time so work is at least completed. That also allows for more questions and gives me an insight to how the class on a whole is grasping the subject.
Adnan,
this is definitely true & we need to be very understanding of these students & try to help them in any way possible.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
it's true that they may slow down the class but if they are really trying then they need more support from instructor like extra 30 min beyond the class.
I have found that spending a little one on one time with the student before or after class is also helpful getting them up to speed. It also shows that you really have a concern for their success, which in turn motivates them to try even harder. I had a previous student that struggled throughout the course, but with that little extra time she scored the highest percentage on her state boards, out of that class.
I do tutoring, reviewing previous lecture, giving highlights for the next lecture, and create discussion topics, so repetition and repetition is the key for them.
Jason,
and in actuality this will put them well ahead of most of their peers.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Kathleen ,
yes, I think the key is communicating with them the various opportunities & resources they have to help them be successful.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I have found that it is helpful to individually encourage these students to read ahead in the book. If they can take the time to just simply read the material before class, it gives them a level of familiarity which helps them to learn at a pace more even with the rest of the class.
With slow learners I found it best to make sure they understand the assignments, make sure they know that tutoring is available and to stay after to discuss any concerns or questions they may have regarding the material.
I think it is so very important when you have a slow learner or two in the class, that they concentrate on the task at hand and not how fast another student is moving. I always tell my class from the beginning, it does not make you smarter to get an assignment done faster.
As well i like to have the slower students work more on the fundamentals of the course and encourage them not to focus on the pace of the class as a whole.
Melvin ,
this is definitely a challenging situation, sounds like you've found a strategy that works well.
Dr. Ryan Meers
