I would have to say it's making the student comfortable or earning their confidence. I often teach to small groups of students, and the classes are often intimate and the students grow close with one another. I have had only two students with documented learning disabilities, and making sure they feel as welcome as the others is priority for their participation. I make sure that everyone contributes at least one request of me/the course at the beginning of the term. That can be a special project, extra learning material, copies of slides, or other simple classroom setup requests. It is here where I can make the challenged student feel like they are part of the norm rather than the exception. This establishes a quicker trust response and a higher comfort level for the student to successfully participate in the course.
The greatest challenge in working with students with learning disabilities (for me) is to not try to help them "too much." In saying that I mean that I try to not have them feel embarrassed by helping them over rough spots by coaching. In the long run, that student is not learning the material, they are more or less skimming over it.
The greatest challenge is get them to open up and let us know how we can be supportive. I find most students with learning disabilities never approach instructors and will struggle with class.
I think one of the greatest challenges of working with students with learning disabilities is being able to effectively communicate where there is an understanding of the subject matter being taught. Asking the student how you can help him / her to better understand the coursework immediately after recognizing a problem is the best method.
Therefore, I agree with the module regarding directly asking the student what approach / method to use to help the student better understand the assignment. I would implement that method early on in the course to increase the students success rate.
It is when seeing the desire and motive for the student to succeed but is unable to. Rephrasing that would be for the instructor's inability to assist in maximizing student's learning potential.
Identification. Adult students needs to realize that they are in charge of their education. Although some students pre-date IEPs, they should be able to give examples of strategies that can aid in their learning.
sometimes all the student needs is a bit more of time or just a difrent way of delivering the materials.
having time to develop an IEP
Allowing them to understand that you are on their side and committed to their success.
Please provide the content/question for response.
The greatest challenge to working with students with learning disabilities is not knowing that a student has a disability.
Certainly we can't ask, "Do you have a disability?"
It's like a student who can't read. They won't tell. How do you ask?
Patricia,
we would like you to respond to the idea or question proposed in the first part of the post. Thank you,
Dr. Ryan Meers
Im not certain if you are asking me a question?
Not having the training and skills to adequately help these students. Being a fairly new instructor in technical progam, my training is in the career skills and not theories and techniques of education.
Slow down the pace in the class in order to cover the material.
Patricia,
it is definitely important to try to get at these issues early on so we can best help our students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Sandy,
these are all great steps to take to demonstrate to our students that we want to help them. As you observed it's not a guarantee, but at least the students know you care & want to help them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Wardell,
definitely a challenging situation. Keep up the question asking & making yourself available & approachable & hopefully your students will respond to this.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I think it is important for the instructor to reach out to the students. I usually send an email inviting the student to give me 10 minutes of their time; I offer a time to meet and ask them to confirm or select a different time. Usually this helps but it does not guarantee the student will trust you. It is a really hard call, I usually talk to each student during the class time and I have had students approach me and request that I do not call on them during class. I usually ask them to volunteer to ask a question or to answer a question; I thought that would give the student control, but it does not always work.
Terri,
you are right & it is very important that the student let the instructor know of their disability.
Dr. Ryan Meers
