I start with one on one with students at the beginning of the class to find out what their disability is and then from there determine what will help. Group work seems to help a lot because they learn in smaller groups and also students feel less intimidated with smaller groups. Plus learning from each other seems to make them more engaged.
I also try to find out their learning style and try to incorporate all learning styles into the lecture so they can see it, hear it, and give examples.
Sherry,
and often it allows the learners to be exposed to the information from a different source in a different way & this can help with learning.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think that team groups not only helps with people with disabilities, but also in reinforcing material they have just learned.
I agree. The students are able to learn different strategies from each other.
I have a learning disability and when I went through college I found working with students in groups was helpful, because reading comprhention is a problem. The more I could include all 5 senses in learning the better I was at taking the test. The reason I would miss question on a test was because I couldn't figure out what they were asking. Not that I didn't know the material.
I find extra tutoring is helpful, one on one or in small groups.
Sandra,
this really is a great idea as the peer to peer instruction often is more valuable for some students than hearing the instruction from us. Also, this can be a great help to the stronger students as they will be learning the content even better.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Mary,
yes, this is a very frustration situation. I think you are doing all you can do at this point; being available & reminding them of the available resources.
Dr. Ryan Meers
If possible after an initial assessment of the class and the different students, I try to put together students who are doing well and students with some difficulty, to try and help the latter by learning techniques that the first ones have for sucessful learning. It usually works out.
A frequent frustration for me over time has been the students who have difficulty with understanding or test taking, but who do NOT disclose a disability. The policy here is that I can not suggest or offer concessions unless the student requests them. I can only offer what is provided to all other students. Frequent in-class reminders of the tutoring hours and office hours helps somewhat, but I wish I could be more direct with them.
Sondra,
yes, hands on learning is a great way for many of our students to learn & can be of great advantage to those who are otherwise struggling.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Hands on learning. With the Use of Hands on Computer Training or simple repetitive doing excersizes.
My middle son is learning disabled, but veyr smart. I have noticed if you read him text he has a very high acceptance rate for that information so using more audio/visual teaching benefits him best. I try to bring his disabilities into my classroom by remebring how he learns best and trying to add AV into my classroom activites.
Kanisha,
yes, this seems to help especially with the peer to peer learning.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Once I am aware the student has a disability I ask the student to articulate how they have been successful in the past when learning new skill sets. Often the student holds the key to the process. I then try and enhance whatever process helps the student to gain and apply new knowledge. Thanks, marie
Various strategies have and are being used with varying success - study groups, websites devoted to the textbook being used, worksheets, audio tapes, and just plain old patience.
It can be challenging when there is limited knowledge in dealing with these students.
team groups are a very affective way to working with students with disabilities...
Help them to use other parts of their brain in problem solving.Use auditory support - state the question or topic and allow time for "processing"
Some students find that making songs up about topics helps.
Role paying is often helpful in helping students problem solve. It is also helpful in making the link to the application of the concept.
Build on what has helped the student in the past. Meet with the student privately and discuss strategies that help the student become successful, not doing the same thing over and over again with increasing frustration levels and sinking self confidence.
Very difficult. I have students with little english which is a big barrier for them. We have tutor time which we can work with them one on one which gets them caught up and makes them feel like they are a part of the class. P O'Dwyer
Yes groups and teams work well when you get the right combo. It gives the senior student practice in teaching and helping someone grasp learning tools and they have fun at it. P O'Dwyer
