One of the most difficult aspects of working with someone with learning disabilities is having a complete and working understanding of that disability and how best to support it. As instructors, we need to be familiar with the most recent information and techniques so that we will have success with those students.
I haven't found there to be any hugely challenging pieces in regards to this topic, although sometimes the students are embarrassed. Communication is key.
Providing more time and finding specific things that may have helped in the learning process in the past. Also, students are sometimes reluctant to talk about thier disability because they don't want to be singled out or viewed as different by their fellow students. Some may have been able to compensate up to a point, but now may find themselves in an environment that they can't "cover up" any longer.
My greatest challenge is that most students don't step forward and tell me they have a learning disability. I have had very few students admit to having learning disablities. The few that have told me we have worked together through out the course and have had what I think is a positive experience.
The greatest challenge is their refusal to work at their weaknesses. They use them as a crutch sometimes and expect you to hold there hand. Employers are not going to do that.
You are absolutely correct Ron!
You well know that teachers/instructors want to "help" all students be successful. However, we must use all resources availabe so that we help all students equally.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Keeping them motivated and on task can be tricky as students who are learning challenged may suffer from poor self esteem.
I think the greatest challenge to these students is their ability to read and comprehend the material. It is our job to provide they with the support that they need to get through the course
From a career college perspective, the instructor has to find a healthy balance between serving the class as a whole and preparing them for their future careers and tending to students with special needs, which often requires additional resources such as time and materials.
Hi George!
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what you are trying to say in this statement. Please clarify.
Thanks,
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
You can not appreciate the significance of their disability
Hi David!
Why don't you engage a student in a one-on-one where you can learn more about the student?
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
The greatest challenge for me is to find ways of relating the class topic to something that the student is familiar with and does on every day basis.
I see two big challenges. The first challenge would be the ability to determine that someone has a learning disability. I can imagine that people are not very confident revealing their disability. Identifying how I can help as an instructor is task #1. Secondly, the other challenge I see is working in a classroom would be balancing the needs of someone having a learning diability with the needs of an over achieving "A" student. Being able to allow this diversity to exist and not upsetting the progress of instruction and learning is challenging. Both students have paid the same tuition, they deserve the same commmittment from me as an instructor. The ability to effectively work in this type of scenario separates great teachers from good teachers.
I would rather have a student be pro-active about their learning disability and inform the instructor as to what sorts of learning activites work best for them. These students shouldn't try to hide their disabilities, but rather be up front about them and be willing to share with the instructor what he/she can do to help the student be most successful in the class.
Hi Nikki!
I definitely agree that instructors should help students as needed as well as recognize where a problem may exist. However, we would all have to be counselors, case managers, therapist. I am more of the mind that we help those students who either self-disclose or the systems has documented information which is passed to instructors.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
The greatest challenge to working with students with learning disabilities is when the student has not yet been diagnosed with the disability. One must be adept at recognizing the symptoms of the disability when the student themself does not. Students who are unaware that they have a learning disability can travel from class to class having issues without recognizing the root cause. Knowing is half the battle. If a student is made aware of problems that other LD students have, such as transposing letters and numbers, they will be able to see that in their own experience and put to use the "work-arounds" that are available.
The fact that they are all individual with their needs, so it can create a complex web of individual approaches to accommodate each and ever student to the level they need.
Understanding and patience are often the biggest challenge. Not getting frustrated but rather showing patience can go s long way to helping a student. Many of my best students have had difficulties that they worked through, going on to great success.
It is frustrating to try to teach writing skills to students that have trouble reading. I have found that I need to slow it down, reemphasize various points, illustrate points with real-life examples, etc. This methods not only reduce the student frustration but also the instructor frustration.
Karen
