Identifing What Works
I think as teachers we need to be creative with how we deliver content. Even students who do not have a learnign disability will repsond to varied instructional techniques and learning supports. I also think this applies to assessments as well. If a student's grade is based soley on one type of assessment, they may score disproportionatley high or low depending on how they take to that type of assessment.
Totally agreed with this. This will not just benefit the students with a learning disability, but it also engages other students' attention.
Greetings Patricia!
There is alwasy something to be learned - isn't there? A perfect example of how instructors learn from their students.
Good job!
Jane Davis
Ed106 Facilitator
I agree with your comments about instructors needing to be creative with how we deliver content. I find that studets with a learning disability are also creative, example a recent dyslexia student would use different colored highlighters when outlining a chapter, she would assign a color for what is relevent, a different color to outline examples of the releveant topic, etc.
Hi Barbara!
Great ideas! I find that the demands of every class are so different because of the mix of students, that I am continually adding to my "bag of tricks". Then- this continually keeps me growing and learning.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Yes, with a variety of techniques to convey the material, you can achieve better success. This way if one method works for some students, another may work for other students. This also keeps interest at a higher peak if you change things. It is most helpful if you know a particular student has needs so you can determine what will be most effective.
I totally agree with the idae of changing testing and teaching styles within a class. Different people certainly absorb information in different ways.
My experiences have been very similar. A student with a learning disability is less challenging for me than a student with attitudinal problems.
In addition to students who have diagnosed learning disabilities, I believe that it is important to be cognizant of differences in learning styles that exist in all of our students.
A given technique may work for the vast majority of students, but there will likely be others who do not get the full benefit of the lesson due to their particular learning style.
Absolutely! And creativity benefits ALL students, not just those with disabilities. We live in a time of great change, students will face situations people have never faced before. It is not good enough to instill in them traditional ways of doing things, they need to be able to think out of the box to handle new situations. A student who may need a different method of teaching can be a blessing as well as a challenge!
We need to use a variety of teaching to reach the widest audience. We need to reach the auditory, visual and hands on learners.
I have to agree with Rami's comment. Sometimes my students become nervous that one poor score on an assignment will cause them to fail. I remind them that I structure the course so that it serves to measure their performace over the term and not just according to one assessment. Having a bad day will not result in a failing grade.
I also think this applies to assessments as well. If a student's grade is based soley on one type of assessment, they may score disproportionatley high or low depending on how they take to that type of assessment.
i try to add the special work for the special student in with the normal work. I'm not sure students want to be different. The more they fit in the better.
I personnaly like working with a student that has an above average intelligence level. Even though they are sometimes suffering from a slight learning disability, they are generally a top notch student. Normally the only thing that I need to do, is give them a little extra attention with their lab duties. There is normally no discussion on the matter, and the student is generally grateful for the extra help.
I agree with you 100% about the teachers need to be creative and use different tools to deliver the content.
