Identifying the disability and having the patience that is needed.
The biggest issue that I have is getting students to attend class. If they do not understand the concepts from day one then the subsequent class meetings are very hard to get them to attend. The second biggest issue is getting them to talk to me about their learning disability.
Robert ,
Another challenge for many of us. I agree with you that if we make ourselves available at other times we can help these students while being respectful of the time of all of our students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
One of the greatest challenges is not spending so much time in class with one student that it results in others becoming bored and disinterested. Extra time before or after class for a student with a learning dissability could be beneficial to that student of course, but also to the rest of the class.
Timothy,
I completely agree with you. Until these students are ready to talk about their struggles & ask for help, there is not much we can really do. But the key is to make ourselves approachable & available so when they are ready they will come for help.
Dr. Ryan Meers
The biggest challenge for any instructor is first to find out if a student does have a learning problem and secondly what to do to help. Finding out a student has a problem is a big challenge. Unless the student comes up to you from the very beginning you probably will not find out until the first set of grades are done. Then and only then will the student come in. Being comfortable and being ridiculed in the past may have a lot to do with it. Nothing can really be done until the student opens up. Sure the instructor can ask the right questions but until the student makes the first step nothing can be done.
As far as finding the help and the learning aids is the easy part. As mentioned in the lesson, allowing the student or any student for that matter record the lectures is a good idea. Having a printed outline is another. It is a matter of how comfortable you are,
COmprehension of the material being covered. Often times, they do not want to participate in hands on activities. The instructor must be patient and also get the student to be engaged in the subject matter.
Some students with learning disabilities do not like to talk about it. Getting them to feel comfortable to open up and discuss the problem is the most challenging task. They do not like to be labeled; however, as instructors we have the responsibility to give them encouragement; boost their self-confidence, and assist them in the most productive way.
I think the greatest challenge would be working with a student who is hesitant about disclosing their problem and asking for help.
First you have to come across to the class that you are welcoming and approachable then either by noticing the students progress by test or in some cases they will approach you then you can start from there. As for the biggest problem that is the possibility of failure.
The first and most difficult thing it seems to me is to identify such students in some times big classes and secondly you have to talk to them personaly of ways we can work with them
A challenge teaching Deaf students is slowing down speach so interpreters can keep up, specifically with french terms, one way to minimize this is to write all terms used in the lesson on the whiteboard before class.
I find students with learning disabilities unwilling to say anything about their problems until testing time. They are usually the last to hand in their tests, with reluctance.
I assist them with extra help after classes and extra time to complete assignments. I also allow them to give verbal responses.
Destiny,
Yes, anytime we can put ourselves in their shoes, as much as possible, I think we are in a better position to help them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
My greatest challenge working with students with learning disabilities was learning how to "think" on their level of comprehension - using simple terminology and examples.
With the downsizing and added responsibilites of instructors, it can be very difficult to offer the much needed help during class. However, the instructor can utilize office time to help these students.
The greatest challenge is to conduct the class in such a pace so that it does not frustrate the faster learning students and at the same time ensuring that all students benefit from the teaching/learning experience.
Maksuda,
Yes, it is so important that we build a trusting & supportive relationship with all of our students early on so they will feel comfortable in coming to us with their struggles.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I have failed on this one. I had a student for whom English was not her first language. She sat in the back of class isolated from the other students and did not participate in class discussion. I could have done more to include her. She remained in my class for about three sessions and then dropped the class. I am glad that I read this material. At least, now, I know how I failed her. I tried unsuccessfully to find her a Spanish speaking tutor
The greatest challenge, is finding out. Some students are shy and won't tell you they have a learning disability until they start failing or getting lost. Its not hard to help once you know that there is a disability. It is something that takes time and the student needs to be comfortable to talke to you.
