It is important to build a relationship with students of learning disabilities so you can learn the instructional support that worked best for them in the past. The best kind of instructional support that is helpful to students is to reuse the successful methods or applications that worked.
Giving the student more time would be helpful. But also, letting the student know that there is always a way to accomplish the goals and keeping focused on the end result is good to keep the student motivated.
I have several students with ADD. Often, the students will ask if they can draw or listen to music while they are in class.
I have read students the test and given time accomodations.
Giving students that has learning disabilities more time will help them to render corerective assignments with all that is said its their support.
we use an MP3 that has all the tests on it for that class subject.it is a persons voice that reads the tests very slowly and it really works well for the student and give them the oportunity to better succeed.
First try to make the student comfortable talking about her needs. Then the instructor can formulate a plan to help them. I try to first find an ability that they already have and complement them on their skill.
Instructors must care about their students and must show it. A passionate instructor will assess his students and learn about them. Students with learning disabilities must be identified properly and must be accomodated accordingly. This will be done at a personal level by the educator himself and at the school level by using all ressources available.
I have found that ALL students need structure and organization when learning. The students with known learning disablities (and others) benefit from the following:
1. Clear and precise information
2. Handouts for PowerPoint/lectures
3. Mentoring and tutoring
4. Short assignments with clear deadlines
5. Tacile and kinesthetic learning opportunities
6. Proxmity seating
7. Extra time for testing
8. Quiet space for testing
9. Ownership of the disability
10. And of course, lists and bulleted material, as well as colors, highlights, and size of font for emphasis.
Hi Jeffrey!
Positive reenforcement is such a strong motivator. It helps students believe in themselves.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
Ed106 Facilitator
Giving students more time to complete assignments and exams. Also, discussing and help students with test anxiety.
Hi Jane!
Excellent approach! What type of study guide would you provide an LD student?
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Size of letters used
reversal of numbers
repitition of phrases
simple formats
Giving students with disabilites reassurance that you are there to support them really reduces any anxiety them may have in the course. Giving the students a little more time also helps them complete the tasks at hand.
More time is very important, Some people (like myself) don't test well and when rushed or held to a TIME ....don't perform as well as they could
I believe the most important one is to ask the student himself what types of instructional support have been provided in the past. In that way, you are not guessing about what he needs or what will be most helpful. Once that information is forthcoming, then as an instructor it is my responsibility to that student to be as accommodating to those needs as is possible.
I offer students to see me outside of class. I send them to our academic specialist. I have them sit up frount and closer to me. I make sure that I stop at thier work station frequently during class. I will appoint more advanced students to work with them and help them. A testing area is provided for students with special needs.
Giving students more time to read and complete their work gives the students instructional support. Handing students and outline of the class work for the day helps to keep a student focused. Placing key words on the board or important information help to identify the key points that are being discussed. When examples are given using these key words the students are able to associate their meanings better.
Giving a student more time - quite area to take the test or to sit them in front so they are not distracted while testing. We also have an excellent Academic Learning Center that assist us the faculty in helping the students. The biggest support is being aware and understanding.
Hi Kimberly!
Good question and I am not trying to assume to know wht Howard meant but I do have a thought.
There are some ways that LD students can have their materials enhanced. Using extra color, drawing boxes around important points to remember, underlining, using bold/bigger font for emphasis. But why can't that be done for the entire class?
Thanks for the question!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Asking the student what strategies they learn best with, what has worked for them in the past to be successful. Giving more time and monitoring the student's progress too make sure they aren't falling through the cracks.
