I currently work with people with disabilities, I don't currenlty do any online teaching, but have kept my classes small to be able to accommodate to my students' disabilities. I have seen many disabilites described in the course. I mainly deal with vision impairment and learning disabilites.
I've seen it but I'm shocked with the percentages of student's arriving in Post-Secondary schools with disabilities and that have been passive in nature. I'm so happy to have been learning this module to be further informed. I will be procative even more in assisting the students in being aware intitled needs with disabled services.
Online teaching is new to me. I have learned a lot important information through this session. I really there are several things to consider that online instructors should provide and ensuring the course is accessible to student's disablities.
This is certainly a challenging situation for students and instructors. More so online. Very interesting topic.
Some students with learning disabilities will slide through without informing the school or teacher and some will inform you. I make adjustments for the class when necessary if I find a student needing more time and clarification.
on line teaching doesn't always give you a clear advantage point of knowing what students will have learning disabilities. Building your curriculum to accommodate these students whether they are in your class or not will strengthen you as an online instructor.
I have learned that when developing the instruction for an online course, the course should be designed for all students, whether they have disabilities or not.
The range of disabilities is daunting. As teachers, we need to withhold judgment and consider different options to help students to successfully complete our courses.
All sorts of difficult issues including ones I have not acknowledged. This prompts me to understand rather than judge quickly.
The following statements are really important for CTE instructors to realize:
Online instructors should be aware of three (3) specific definitions in the area of disabilities:
- Impairment
- Accommodation
- Accessibility
Besides this being the “right thing to do” in order to remove barriers to attaining higher education, the U.S. Federal government has made it a legal requirement. Access to college programs, services and activities in the traditional “brick and mortar” college environment as well as the online versions must be available to every learner. These federal mandates, specifically the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, will be discussed later in this course. It is important that online instructors understand the legal requirements and be proactive when developing and teaching online courses. Inclusion is seen as the responsibility of the educational institution and online instructor.
My opinion is that all disabilities should be viewed with a certain amount of feasibility and practicality when it comes to CTE fields which require courses with labs. The degree of success for some however may be limited. For instance, if a blind person is trying to learn "welding" or "machining" which require courses with labs, I believe there would be limited success in these areas and may even prove to be very hazardous to the persons health/safety. Instructors would need to assume the liability of any injuries if they allowed the student to take the course/lab which would not be acceptable. Also, even if the person with the disability managed to pass a course or two in the field (without completing a lab course) the likihood of a person with this type of disability in such a field probably would not find employment readily since employers would be hesitant to take the risk or be insured for such with someone of this disability in this field.
I appreciate adding a checklist in your course. It would help with organizing. Often devoping multiple means for presenting information gives mutiple strategies for students
I have learned the importance of organized, clear instruction for students that are cognitive impaired.
SETH SORONNADI
LEARNED THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO "Develop multiple means for presenting information, multiple means of expression and practice of knowledge and skills, and multiple strategies for engaging learners." I PLANNED TO USE THIS METHOD
At first, I approached this thinking I had no students in my classroom with disabilities. Yes perhaps, there were no blind or deaf or obviously physically impaired students. However, I came to realize that I had ADHD students, students with anxiety disorders, and a student with a particular disability in her fingers that we had to explore and make accommodations for her to be able to perform activities in the lab. Already I had had to incorporate changes into my approach to students. This was an enlightening course.
I learned that Providing checklists and organized content can help students with disabilities stay focused and on point.
I believe that one of the hardest hurdles to get across, is the learned actually letting the instructor know that there is a disability in the first place. There are federal rules against asking students if they have learning disabilities. And if they do not tell you up front, even with the most well thought out course building, you can really be thrown for a loop when the information shows itself.
How to engage students that have learning disabities and intergrate them into your lessons.
As a parent with a disabled child, I can appreciate the lesson. Now that school is online due to Covid-19, we have had to change how we received education. instructors need to ensure that students with disabilities have as much access and assistance as possible. It starts with open communication and development of trust. Regardless of the disability, as humans we desire to be part of a community and education is no different. Instructors should have patience and understand the desire for all students to get an education. We can modify our teaching techniques to provide a good learning experience for all students.Thankfully, technology is improving the access and experience for students with disabilities.
Online instructors need to be aware of inclusion in the class. Learners may have trouble with listening, reading, writing, speaking, reasoning, math and social skills. In face to face instruction you may be able to see these problem. I am online environment, communication and a relationship with the students can make the online learning better for all students. As instructor we need to be aware that conditions may exist in students and not to "expose" the students.
The most interesting course so far. Made me see things differently. I will certainlyn focus on this in the near future.
