Same with our policy. The student has to provide documentation with a diagnoses od learning disability.
I have not had a student with a learning disability in the few classes I have taught, but this section has given some great ideas for how to make sure a student with a learning disability can be successful. Probably the best idea being understanding what has worked successfully for the student in the past.
Students with learning disabilities at our campus must have proof of said disability before any arrangments can be made. I think this practice should be in place at all educational institutions. There are those who try to cheat the system which makes things difficult for those who really need it.
Tom
Greetings Shanon, John and Brant!
Increased time/attention by instructor
Observation and action
Group time and more visual content
Great comments!
I like to pair a student with another student. This strategy has worked very well for me. I have watched a student move from very low self confidence to a sense of real accomplishment. And - a by product is that a new friendship has evolved.
I am curious how you have been able to identify the students who have a learning disability?
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Increase test time ... small group one-on-one instruction.
The main one would be to give more time to the student to complete quizzes and exams as in the case of dyslexia where the student have a difficult time comprehending the material.
There are many way to help students with learning disabilities that require litle effort such as allowing more time to take tests, quieter areas, reading instructions and questions allowed before giving a test, allowing lectures to be recorded and so on...
A few examples would be recording lectures, use bigger print, using boxed text in tests.
As a 'New' instructor I currently do not have much to say on this subject, however I have learned a great deal from this segment of the course and will look into and educate myself more on this subject matter. I must say though that I have neice with Aspburgess Syndrome and I am aware of the challenges her family navigates in order to ensure learning and teaching are at the best possible levels for the educational growth of their daughter.
My campus also has policies and procedures when it comes to this situation. I have also found that many of the ideas that I have implemented in order to assist these students have also come to be assets to the other students as well.
We have policies and procedures in place as long as the student has a documented disability. Some of the common support systems we use are reading a test to a student, additional note material, allowing them to record lectures and extra time if needed to take tests/quizzes.
The best thing to do is to ask the student about their disability. This way, it is easier to determine what types of supplemental materials could help them the most. Often, visual aids, tape recorders, adapted reading materials and invidual tutoring can help.
I like to ask the students with disabilities about strategies that have been successful for them in the past & build upon those strategies. I also like to offer access to resources like powerpoints and handouts in electronic form so they have more access to written materials and can review tham at their own pace.
More than anything else I have found the need to talk with the student and find out what will help them to succeed. Sometimes they do not talk about their issues so I monitor their work from day one and look for clues in written or verbal issues.
Students with disabilities must be referred first but then every accomodation possible to help them learn must be made.
Very true Teresa. Our campus also has a policy that instructors are not allowed to address the disability with the student, but to refer them to the campus president.
The Learning Resource Center at our school is the best as far as helping instructors plan for disabled students.
We have a student services coordinator that always is willing to offer assistance to students with needs.
The following instructional support for students with learning disabilities (as deemed legit by the school)proved helpful:
1. Providing larger font for hand-outs
2. Providing outline format to clarify main topic and writing it in bold letters/underlined
3. Reading the text slowly and clearly
4. Highlighting words that might be the source of complication
5. Pausing to ask for clarification
6. Breaking down procedures in simple step-by-step
7. availing time and attention to their queries
I've had students with multiple disabilities such as hearing and vision problems. I placed the students close to the board and made sure they understood they could always ask for help when needed.
