You have to be patient with students with reading challenges. I was a student with reading challenges. You have to be willing to be patient and understanding without making the student feel incompetent.
Wenda,
these are great points & a great idea regarding allowing the students to record the lecture if this would be helpful to them in remembering the concepts & new words.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I think repetition is very helpful. Introducing a new vocabulary word and having the students repeat it with you can be beneficial.
Some students may find it helpful to tape (audio) a course, to listen to the correct pronunciation later. I also think that introducing only 5-7 new words (like the reading suggested) is helpful. It sometimes just depends on the student, the course and/or working with the student on a one-on-one basis (office hours, providing at home tools or websites they can use, etc.).
More time is usually all needed to help those students
I use handouts which defines or explain terms in simpler terms. During my lectures, I will call on the entire class and ask for someone to define a term which is new or unusual to average person. If unable I explain the term by giving examples or drawing examples on the board. Then, I encourage all students to speak up and ask me to clarify any term they don't understand. This usually embolden those student to ask for clarification, because they now know they are not the only ones who don't understand a term. Another tool, is email. I encourage my students to email me with questions with their reading assignments. Therefore, they can ask questions without being embarrassed.
Dena,
the value of the teacher's patience & giving a little more time really is invaluable.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I also have students that have difficulty with the English langguage and medical terminology, that's a language all on it's own and when you habe students that are struggling with English, it's a daunting task for them. Patience, a little more time and understanding is what I give my students and just hope that it heps.
Amy,
this is a great idea as it helps reach the different modalities of learning & so all can benefit.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
One way that has proven success is helping the students with other ways of studying. For example: During my lectures I have the student read sections of the chapter. After they have completed reading the chapter we then highlight certain key points within the section. Some students I go so far as to walk them trough making flashcards using the highlighted material.
Dave,
and when we can help them in this area they are more likely to seek on our help on a variety of issues.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have enjoyed working one on one with students that have a reading disability. The challenge they face actually give me as an instructor an opportunity to get to know the student on a more personal level and assist them in being successful.
I can empathize with these students. I was a student who had reading challenges all through public school. When I decided to take the challenge of returning to school at age 27,single mom of 3 young boys, I had to recognize my reading challenges and develop strategies that would help me. I share my experience with my students. Then I suggest strategies I had to use. I always encourage the student to try many strategies. They need to figure out how they can best learn.
Gyula,
that personal story is a great asset as you connect with these students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Having had a reading challenge myself I can share my victory over it that they are not alone, giving them support.
ROBERT,
this is a great idea & suggestion for helping students with reading challenges & really could be very useful for most students.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
What I do to help with reading challenges is give the students a strategy they could use to read a text book.
For example take one chapter go to the end and read the chapter summary next look at the diagrams stopping at any that interest you, next think about what already know about the subject and what you would like to learn and lastly go to the review questions pick one question read it and go to the chapter and read from the beginning until you find the answer note the page # and paragraph where the answer is and repeat. Giving the students a strategy that they can use will help them not only in your class but all future classes
I am in a situation where I can't decrease the reading level. To mitigate this I assign readings early and emphasize that they must start reading now if they hope to stay up with the class. This is advice that I give to the class as a whole and not to individuals.
I also do the same thing. I also try to read questions or material in the book aloud. I hope that this will encourage the student to read the chapter in more detail and at length. I often struggle with ways to help students with reading difficulties. I am very cautious as I do not want their classmates to realize that someone has a reading issue.
Kenneth,
this is an excellent idea as the review of the vocab words can also help them some with other aspects of the reading.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I try to teach students key words that will help them interpret certain types of problems. Also, I go over critical vocabulary words during class to emphasize their importance and meaning. This is reinforced with examples.
