The variation in severity of the disability. It's tough when several of the students are bored because you need to keep going over the same point for a few students to understand but at the same time, I want everyone to be on the same page before moving onward.
Ours is a fast-paced learning environment where every single minute is clocked and accounted for. Learning disabled students do poorly in this type of environment. I was challenged by me boss to accommodate these learners. I struggled for a solution to this conundrum for a long time. Finally I developed another category which I call "W" time. W time allows me to work with these students and not impact their grade.
I agree with John and Craig, but we also can't ask the students if they have a learning disabililty. At our school they have to get a accomadation from the office, before we can help them.
One of my greatest challenges to working with students with learning disabilities is making sure they grasp the content while also providing enough attention for everybody else. The students who don't have learning disabilities also deserve the opportunity to have one-on-one time because they too are learning a trade.
Making sure that the students with disabilities are getting the time they need to absorb and process the information without neglecting the rest of the class
Kristina,
unfortunately this type of system does not really help struggling learners. This may be the times when the students may need to look for an alternative course.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I agree, it is hard to give them enough time without neglecting and also in not showing favortism or giving them more attention then other students on a one on one basis.
I agree this also becomes an issue in accelerated courses. We have 5 week mods and sometimes that is not enough time to comprehend the material by a student without a learning disability. We try to make ourselves available as much as possible to assist these students, but sometimes they get discouraged that they aren't able to keep up.
Allowing extra time for this student without disruption in the other students educational time.
if they are able to audiotape a class to take home with them to listen at their leisure is better than not having any assistance.
The greatest challenge is recognizing someone has a learning diability as it relates specifically to mathematics. I was not aware that there is a specific term that even relates to a disability for comprehension of mathemeatical calculations. Now that I am, I am going to reasearch this particular disability in further detail and also try to learn to detect it in students that are not willing to share with me that they have such a disability. If I do encounter a student with this disability or even some of the others that would impact their reading and writing abilities, which are also needed to understand concepts, I will ask about the kinds of learning tools they were taught to assist them and utilize those instuctions in thier learning process.
That there are no challenges, only opportunities. This is a chance to show your merit as a teacher...teach. Use different learning methods, such as props or demonstrations and make examinations a hands on experience to gauge learning , rather then a written test.
hold all students to the same level.
The greatest challenge is when the student is embarrassed or ashamed of their disability and try to complete course work without accommodations. Usually by the time they are ready to admit top their disability, it is often times too late to fix their grade.
Cory,
this is a key balance to strike in helping those who need it, while not overlooking the others.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Being able to identify what they need to succeed
Ensuring they receive the attention they need without sacrificing the other student's experience.
Eirzaad,
Yes patience is key especially with those who are struggling.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
My greatest challenge working students with learning disabilities is to be patience and persevere without physically showing my frustrations.
I would say tha tit is patience on the part of other classmates. SOme students just don't understand that someone has a learning disability. They think they are stupid and lazy. When it comes time for the instructor to give additional support or extra time for the student that needs it, others get unsettled . The subject of that diverse nature has to happen often so that students understand. Ontest day, i tell student to leave the class after they are done and I will gather everyone when all students are finished. This allows students that need more time to be comfortable and not feel as though they are slow or stupid or have to listen to the others chatting because they finished first.
