Learning Disability
You grade students down for spelling errors on their papers. What reasonable accommodation could you make for a student with a learning disability that affects his/her spelling?
Marking them down for spelling errors really depends on the type of assignment we have for them. If I am asking them to answer questions and hand write the answers I don't mark them down for spelling errors if it is an assignment that is due the same day I assign it. However, every term students are expected to turn in a 5 page paper about a medical or professionalism topic. This must be typed and turned in using Word, which means they can use spell check to make sure words are spelled correctly. Even though I expect them to use the spell check, if the student has 3 errors or less I do not deduct points. Once the student has 4+ errors points must be deducted. I also tell them to have a friend or classmate proof read. Sometimes when I am writing a paper I know what I want it to say so as I'm reading it, I read it as I want it to be read, not the way it was actually written so I often miss my own mistakes. If fresh eyes read it they usually find the grammar errors that we miss when we read our own papers.
If it is a paper that can be proofread before submission they should be encouraged/required to have the instructor or a tutor proofread their draft before final submission. This offer could be made to all students, not just those with learning disabilities.
I'm with you there. I see much writing on lab stations that illegible. I have to ask my students at times "what does that say". I am assuming that elementary teaching models assume that children will do all of their written comunication with a typewriter device of some sort and have eliminated the teaching of good penmanship.
It depends on the assignment given. In some instances, they can take the assignment home and use grammar check and spell check on their computer. In other cases, I need them to grasp the concept and not focus on the spelling of the word.
Overall, I am preparing them for the real world in their field. That means that they should use grammar check and spell check to ensure their work is professionally done.
It really depends on the assignment. If the assignment is directly related to proper spelling then it needs to be taken into account. If it is a secondary component of the assignment then the question is whether or not the student was able to effectively answer the questions in the prompt.
I believe you could discuss answer with student and in order to extract inferred meaning and grant credit if answer is acceptable. Also possible delivery methods of testing could be reviewed for students
Hi Ms. Smoger,
This was very interesting, I learned a great deal! I agree that students with learning disabilities lean more towards to post-secondary schools because this setting provides more one to one in classrooms as well.
It's amazing how creative we as instructors have to become. I have created tests with word banks for my students with learning challenges and it assists them tremendously in grasping the material. I've noticed that tests with word banks sometimes assist much better than multiple choice tests in that it allows the student to focus on the definition as a whole and not overwhelm them with as many options as multiple choice. All in all, it is important to assess each students' individual needs and tailor tests to those specific needs.
Janet,
I think a fair amount of post-secondary educators feel the same way. I also think that is why many students with more challenging learning disabilities attempt more non-traditional areas of study.
Sarah Smoger
You would never know our students graduated from HS. Their writing abilities are terrible
Valerie,
Great idea. I'm guessing that most every student, if not all can appreciate and benefit from this practice.
Sarah Smoger
I try to have a wordbank for certain assignments or have them identifiy what the word was or let them slide if the word is close enough to the correct spelling and help the study the word spelling a little better so they can spell correct the next time they have to spell the word. This is helpful and don't downgrading them and a practice that will help them prepare to focus more on the correct spelling of the word
