In order to provide students with learning disabilities you need to get them to the right poeple that can help them. Also seeking out help or information from fellow instructors because they might have some information for you that you either forgot or didn't know about.
In order to provide suport to students with learning disabilities you have to get them to the right people at the school. Let them talk with the student and find out exactly what the learning disability is and from there you can figure out what ways to help them. You have to go through the proper channels first and then you as an instructor can help the student.
In order to learn how to help students with learning disabilities would be to seek advice from other instrutors. Ask the student what methods helped him to learn in other courses. Find out if extra time or having a test read to the student would help them. I would try using more visual aids and put more of the components in the students hands during lecture and see what gives the best results.
I agree. Using what has worked before will be helpful to students.
The best way for me would be to ask the student what have helped him/her the most back in high school or any other learning institutions he/she have attended, then try to accommodate him/her in the same or very similar situation.
judith,
I agree that it is vitally important we create that atmosphere of trusting & relaxation.
Dr. Ryan Meers
JODY,
yes, that discovery of past helps is a great way to help them now.
Dr. Ryan Meers
First by creating a trusting & relaxing atmosphere. Allowing the students to settle down, find their comfort zone and collect their thoughts. This type of approach with enable students with a disability, to develop a sense of trust, respect & believe that someone truly cares about them the person. And can truly look beyond their disability, and appreciate the person that they have become.
finding out what has helped them in the past,listening to them,providing support as to help them excell.
By being patient and by giving them the education that they deserve. We as instructors can learn for each student that enters our classroom.
Kathy,
yes asking the students what has helped them in the past really is a great way to discover how to best help them now.
Dr. Ryan Meers
the greatest challenge is not seeing them as mentally retarded but identify their area of deficency in learning and use appropiate method to help them
allow extended time, frequent breaks, preferrential seating,good lighjting and acoustics,use large print, audio tape or designated reader,get response by verbal, tape recorder or computer means.
All students have differing learning styles, but some students have learning disabilities that may hinder their motivation or comprehension of class material. One way to help a student with coping with thier classwork is to communicate with them about their previous successes and develop a teaching strategy designed to accommodate their learning syle as well as thier classmates'. In addition, constant feedback with the student, encouragement, organization strategies, and understanding help the student feel more successsful.
The best way is to ask the student what has previously been of most help to him. After that as the class progresses, observe what works for the student and keep an open dialog with him to make changes as necessary as time progresses.
One valuable tool is to call the local vocational rehab center, they can advise specifics geared to student needs. The other is what was discussed in the class and that is to talk to the student and find out what helps them.
There are many special Ed class that can be taken, but in the short term, the best resourses are the student himself, school personnel trained for this type student and student family members available to you. They can all help you to understand the students needs and target an approach to best help him.
Offering tutoring, handouts/PowerPoints in larger font, and support and encouragement. I like to aske the student what works for them, and research resources. Also, calling upon fellow instructors who offer up great alternative ideas, experience, and support.
They will often verbalize that they are having trouble but I try to encourage them to try an assignemnt so I can see what they are doing incorrectly and not comprehending and then take it from there. So, to answer the question posed, ways to learn how to help a student with learning disabilties would be to listen first, then encourage participation, then observe and then support and guide.
Not letting them get frustrated and discouraged is one thing I always make sure I do with these students. I am sure to let them know that they have already come a long way but getting through elementary, junior high, and high school. With encouragement and support, anything is possible.
If a student willing approaches you with a LD, that is the first step, then as instructor you should take a few minutes to learn more about the disability not only from the student but doing your own homework.
Some of the suggestions covered in this topic such as using the box around text, not only benefits the LD student, but provides highlights to all the students.
