Special Problem Learners
Some students have special problems in learning. Instructors need to be sensitive about such situations.
Hi Lawrence,
Through the heads up message you can provide the instructional support that is needed by the student. You can let the student take the lead on what kind and how in-depth those supports need to be and as a result the student should experience success in the course.
Gary
This is an interesting topic. The institution that I am affiliated with, which is an online institution, provides instructors with a student roster at the beginning of the class. Should a student require special accomodations (ADA, etc.), I can see next to their name, a Wheelchair icon that lets me know right away that this student will require special accomodations to help them be successful in this class. From there, we can dialog through email to help me understand the needs and what the expectations are going forward in the class.
That's a great idea, Gary. Thanks for the quick reply...
Sue
Hi Susan,
What you can ask the students, once you notice they are not being successful in class is what kind of support would be beneficial to them. This way you are not asking anything about a disability. If the student had an IEP (Individual Education Plan) in high school he/she will know what kind of support is of most value. If they haven't they should still have some idea of how they learn in spite of their challenges. Yes, your university should provide basic assessments that give a snapshot of the academic level of each student. This would help greatly with you instructional planning if you knew where your students are at with their academic skills.
Gary
It is my understanding that is is not legal or professional to ask questions about learning disabilities. This is a difficult area for me. I usually end up recommending reading and writing labs to my students with difficulties. The problem with that is - they can barely get by in the class work and this appears to be 'even more work' for them. Shouldn't these assessments be part of the basic screening process at the university?
Hi Patricia,
This is a good point about knowing the learning preferences of your students. As adults they have created routines for themselves that may not be the most supportive for learning. They need support methods that will enable them to identify the key points of lectures and reading materials and if they are unable to concentrate they will not be able to gather these critical elements.
Gary
Adults can have similar problems as children when it comes to learning. They may have ADD and not even have a clue why they are so distracted and unable to concentrate. It would be helpful to ask the student if they do have problems with this and suggest they make the time to read and study in a quiet environment. It will help them retain what they are trying to learn.
