I have not worked with any students with a learning disability, well that was actually diagnosed. I had my first experience with an adult who had a difficult time reading and comprehending material. I teach Associate Degree nurses and the content is very complex at times and sometimes she has a difficult time connecting the pieces. The pieces are fragmented and just to form a piece of the puzzle let alone formulating a picture is a difficult process.
I have found that most students with learning disabilities are more motivated than regular students. They are more willing to try new methods of learning on top of what they know that helps them. We as teachers need to notice this and capatilize on there efforts. The role of a good teacher is not just dishing out information, instead its realizing that all pepole learn at differant rates and comprehenssion.
The sooner a students seeks help the better the chance for success in the course. I have a student who continues to struggle with exams but has not mentioned a specific disability. Her response to failing an exam is that she did not study. Her body language tells me that she may have a disability. We cannot bring it up unless the student tells us.
I make it a point at the start of class to recognise the resouces available to them. Not to single out anyone.
First of all, we are not allowed to ask students about their disabilities. It is up to students to speak up and advocate for themselves. I think that one of the more frustrating things is not being able to put students in a more successful environment. What I mean is, I don't believe that we have the ability to "identify" dyslexia or the others; nor do we have the capability to help students.
My greatest challenge was letting them know that I will be there for the long haul or until you learn it, because you will learn.
By Eddy Mojena
Working with students with disabilities not easy but applicable, first you need to identify who and what problem they have then you need to balance class work, assignments, test, and quizzes in 4 weeks.
Daniel,
I would agree that it is such a challenge to get students to open up about their struggles.
Dr. Ryan Meers
The most difficult thing is to be patient. sometimes we want our students to get the material so bad that if they dont we have a tendency to take it personal. it is a great accomplishment for myself and the student to have obvious challenges and still we overcome them together is every instructor dream patience, patience, patience is the key just being extremely more diligent with our approach to problem solving.
The greatest challenge when working with student with learning disabilities is probably patience. I have encountered many students with learning diabilities and the most common reaction that I get from students with learning diablities is frustration and no patience to learn the material. The students become extremely frustrated and their patience is lacking so trying to find that middle ground where they are assimiliating into the material cant be difficult.
I would say that the greatest challenge to working with students with learning disabilities is actually identifying the learning problem. If one of my students is doing poorly in class or not turning in homework or whatever, I want to get to the bottom of the issue. Quite often, that is not always so easy. Sometimes, students may not be so open about their struggles.
Identifying the problem, to be better able to help the student be successful.
Edward,
yes, often a little bit of time at the front end can help us reap greater rewards later on.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I instruct within the distance education sector. It can be very challenging to instruct students with disabilities, because I believe many of them are not aware they have a learning disability or don’t completely understand their disability. Also, there are several mature students that did not have testing or IEPs during high school and find it extremely frustrating to be at a certain stage in their life and feel like they are back at school for the first time.
If it does not directly state a learning disability in a student’s file, we will find ways around asking the student if there are any present learning issues they are aware of. When the student first starts the program, our instructors place a call welcoming the student, going over their material, outlines, policies etc. We will ask the student to flip to a certain page in their material and read a few sentences out load, to make sure we are on the same page and in the correct area. The student is then asked to put what they just read into their own words. This allows us to get a better idea of their reading rate, processing time, and comprehension etc.
I believe getting past the idea that it will take much more time on my behalf as an instructor. This typically is not the case. While it does in fact take slightly more time from me, as an instructor, but giving a bit more of myself to ensure a direction toward success for the student is all the motivation that I need.
Samuel,
I completely agree with you that an exceptional instructor will treat the students as the individuals they are, while meeting the needs of the whole.
Dr. Ryan Meers
In nearly every class I teach, I typically have at least one student with a learning disability. Some are obvious, communicated, and usually to some degree adapted by the student themselves. Others are not obvious and I may have no idea a learning disability is in play - until I get good one-on-one time with the frustrated student.
I think one of the greatest challenges is that society fosters the belief that everyone (the round pegs) should fit into the same hole. The fact that even people with a learning disability are intelligent, productive beings that are just wired a little different - is evidence that mankind is not all the same (nor should we be).
A mediocre instructor would just tend to the "typical" sheep and not provide the needed support for the few. An exceptional instructor provides the needed support in an inclusive environment that allows all of the sheep to participate, grow, and learn wihtout the feelings of inferiority or difference.....
Having students let you know they have a Disabilities not trying to find out when you are with 30 students
Being aware of the problem. I am new at instructing and have not come across any situation as of yet but this is good to hear and understand.
Daniel,
I think the best we can do in these situations is to be open & demonstrate a willingness to help the students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
