Not knowing some specific methods to use in teaching that will alleviate the problems associated with a particular disability and how to apply it.
Motivating the learner with the disability. Some use it as an excuse to be lazy at times.
Leon Guendoo
I think the greatest challenge is working with them while not ignoring the rest of the class. While I am an educator and believe that everyone should have the opportunity, many are in classes that they should not be enrolled in. This may not be popular, but it is a fact.
I had never heard of an IEP prior to teaching. Nor was I informed of the accommodations for a student with a learning disability. Having started teaching there seems to be a large percentage of students with disabilities. It is my opinion the accommodations for a student with disabilities are reasonable. Communication with a student should be continuous to ensure the students needs are being met. If not, then adjustments are needed.
I have had a few students who have openly discussed their learning disabilities with me and those are the ones who are easiest to work with. What I have found is that many of these students do very well with verbal communication, and I try to come up with ways to incorporate the verbal with the written. As a writing instructor I have been tempted to give some of them a dictaphone instead of a pen or computer. The ideas are there, but they don't always come out. After being contacted by disability and support services regarding a student with a learning disability, some of these students will deny that they have a problem if I bring it up. Alternatively, they will tell me something like, that just means I need more time to take a test and this is a composition course. I think that in some cases they are embarrassed or are afraid their peers will find out. I try to speak with them discretely, but some are just really defensive and these are the ones that I find most challenging.
Gisele,
I agree that sometimes we need to have these heart to heart conversations with our students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Anitra,
I would encourage you to try & locate & talk with an interpretere or another person knowledgeable about the deaf culture. They would be able to help you understand how to best work with this student.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Comprehension of the pertinent material required to be successful in the field, not everything is visual in application. Identifying the disability is key in knowing how to direct the individual in the career field. If I had a student with dyslexia I would not encourage him to pursue a position with heavy duties that he/she may be able to successfully do.
My greatest challenge with students with learning disabilities is their communication of their disability. Students must understand that using an IEP is not something that is shameful, it is a tool for their success.
to get them to tell you they have a learning disability
I find that often students with disabilities are reluctant to take advantage of the accomodations that they are entitled to. They want to be just like the other students, and do not want to stand out from the crowd.
its important to understand what constitutes a disability. This module introduced me to some new terms to identify some long held suspicions. So the challenge is to simply understand the disability itself.
Identifying the problem since some students dont want to open up about their disability.
Dr. Meers,
I have not had a student who has had a disability yet. I am going to get a student in a few weeks who has a hearing impairment and can read lips. I do not know sign language so I am so nervous about not meeting this students needs as an instuctor. I do tend to walk around the class a lot I love to engage with my class that way but now I will be restricted from moving around and engaging in that way. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Michelle,
keeping these students motivated is definitely a challenge but very important as you point out here.
Dr. Ryan Meers
identifying the problem,then working within company policy to help the student or students in a 30 student class that I only have three weeks to complete that is jam packed with terms and activitys that most of the students have never herd of.
I find that the hardest part is actually identifying which disability they actually have. They dont always admit it and that is all beside the point because most of us who have been teaching any length of time know that when you are monitoring your class you pick up on any kind of struggles. Learning disability or not an effective instructor picks up on students who are struggling. If there is an actual label on the reason they are struggling great... if there is not a label on the reason for their struggle great....Call it dyslexia, call it ADHD, call it sleep apnea, call it PTSD, call it any number of names, every student has their issues. I have to be effective in all the struggles my class may have. It all comes down to communicating the needs not necessarily knowing what the label is. Many of my students state up front "I am dyslexic" To that I respond "OK." Then they say "well thats why I dont do well on tests." I then ask "what do we need to do to improve the scores?" They look at me with this blank stare and say "well I just wanted you to know why I do bad." I respond "are you satisfied with that or should we see if we can get you back on track?" The answer to this question is where I find out if I can work with them or if they are using the disability as a crutch or excuse to not try. Many work with me and improve. Some just sleep better knowing they have an excuse in their mind to do poorly on written exams. These are the ones that frustrate me. For the most part they work with me and we get them on a program to success be it flashcards, oral quizzing, mind maps, etc. The others will just always be happy with subpar results.
Keeping them motivated when they are struggling.
I also had this issue, I had a student who couldn't read and was doing very poor in the essentials class but was passing applications class. I knew there was an issue but couldn't address it. I finally had built enough trust with this student that she came to me to let me know what the issue was because she knew that she would have to take a written test at State Boards. You have to have patience and understanding and hope that the student will trust you enough to know you are there to help not hurt.
Georgiajo,
this really is a challenge & I think we need to do what you have done & try to help in any way possible & hope they open up to us.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Our school is very compliant as well so I know this stuggle all to well. the majority of our students have some form of learning disability and that is why they have chosen a technical school vs a university, yet I cannot ask them directly.
I try to accommodate this by teaching class at a level where I explain things multiple times and in multiple ways so that all learners have a chance to grasp the knowledge.
