James,
I too am a big believer in "borrowing brains" from those who may have more experience or expertise in different areas.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Jenny,
this is a great approach & sometimes the student may be able to share some methods they have learned or developed that have helped them in the past.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Time is the reource that we some somewhat manipulate. More time on tests and hands on competantcies. We train to standard not time. I have also realized that I am no expert and have learned to ask for help from staff that has more experience with these issues.
Should the grades continue to decline or student has stated that a learning need is present, I would sit down and talk with the student one to one. Find out what are some possible ways to accomodate teaching strategies to assist in maximizing student's performance in the class.
Jerry,
I too have found that connection to already familiar concepts is a very important technique to help those students who are struggling.
Dr. Ryan Meers
William,
you are right that providing that variety helps these students & really can help all of our students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
break words down into their parts and relate them to an already familiar word
One-on-one tutoring, pairing them up with another student, allowing them to share their experiences with the class.
I try to vary and change my delivery method of the content until it "clicks" with the student.
I use games in the classroom such as Hangman & Win, Lose,or Draw to help students relate to the new vocabulary. I have found that students relax and have fun playing vocabulary games; which is helping the students, relate to difficult terms.
I've had students in my class whom I though had a learning disability. However, I cannot diagnose that that's actually the case and the student(s) didn't/won't acknowledge that they have a disability. Therefore, I try to reach them in every way that I can.
I've spent a little more time with individuals. Also, I've provided visual aid to assist those who are visual learners.
I agree...that helps those students be more comfortable in the classroom setting. It also gives them motivation to reach their education and career goals.
I find working one on one is the best strategy. I'm able to understand what their difficulty may be. Once, I understand the difficulty I can work with them more effectivley. In most instances it's poor reading and reading comprehension issues.
I try to use as much personal and out of class time with them as possible. Talk with them during breaks, before and after class, and offer supplimental work and see if they take to it. Often they want to learn, but they have been ignored by other teachers because they have fallen a bit behind.
I agree because that will increase the comfort level with the student.
I have not really dealt with any students with learning issues so far. I have dealt with a student who is autistic. It was challanging at times, not from the standpoint of academics, but from the standpoint of social interactions with classmates. It took a lot of patience and understanding on everyone's part to help the person get over the lack of social skills. It always seemed that they were a social work in progress the whole time they were in school!
Prior to becoming an adjunct instructor, I was a special education teacher. Working with students with learning needs, requires a certain amount of patience and understanding. Students with learning needs require that their instructor have a toolbox of teaching strategies that will enhance their growth and acquisition of educational knowledge.
When I have a big class, I put the students into groups. I mix the groups up so that there is a mixture of star students, average learners and low performers in each group.
I will use a variety of strategies including; one-on-one tutoring, hand-outs that reinforce key concepts/vocabulary, study guides, and time in class to discuss learned concepts. Discussion is a good way to verbally illustrate examples and it is a time that allows students to ask questions. If I have a student who is consistently struggling with course content, I will offer my time on an individual basis. That way the student maintains dignity in the classroom but has the opportunity to ask questions and receive clarification on content that is not clear.
