charles,
yes we live in a very connected world & I think it's important to make ourselves available to our students in a variety of ways.
Dr. Ryan Meers
chris,
I agree, rephrasing or paraphrasing can really help the students understand the concepts in a better way.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I encourage them to make time to meet with me one on one. I try to be about an hour early to class (depending on my schedule) and stay as long as my students need me. Many struggling students don't want their classmates to know they are struggling. This is an opportunity to ask questions and get immediate feedback without the watchful eyes of others. Since I teach English, I also encourage students to send me drafts of their work in emails, along with specific questions if they are struggling. Some students have told me they find this helpful as well. Finally, I try to be supportive. I find that many students with learning needs are afraid that they cannot succeed. Extra encouragement seems to make them want to try harder because someone believes in them. I wish I knew more about dealing with basic writers because I feel like there is more I could be doing.
Usually there is a learning center that they can be referred to.
Give short assignments that help build the concept.
Provide many contextual examples for each topic.
Leon Guendoo
I have many students that have somewhat of a language barrier, I will definitely try this technique. It sounds so simple, will reply once I try it out
When a student is unable to understand a question, I re-phrase it, or break it up into smaller parts. Sometimes, I ask a new question on the same topic, then relate it to the original question.
I have many students with ADHD or test anxiety, I will verbalize tests with these students and break down the questions in a very simple format repeating how we had applied the content in class and letting them problem solve the questions based on that content.
Adrienne,
I think all of these demonstrate your willingness to help your students & I'm sure that is noticed by them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Khalid,
I think this is a great way to try & make a run at more challenging concepts in a variety of ways.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I use kinetic techniques as well as lecture. We also get in groups to help assist one another in our disabilities and usually group the student with other students that they are comfortable with learning. We do hands on application and real world experience in hope that each student become well rounded.
The one thing that you talk about is students with language difficulty. I have had students who were deaf. It just so happens, that i do know sign language. So while teaching the subject matter, i use sign language to help the deaf student, and i have found that my other students are learning not only the subject matter, but also sign language. My deaf students have helped me learn new signs for the field that we work in, so it has been a win win situation for all.
First of all, I feel that students with learning needs must receive one on one tutoring. It is too difficult for them to process all of the new information they receive in addition to learning through their disability on their own. Additionally, extra patience must be practiced with students with learning needs. I have seen too many instructors become irritated and short tempered with students, which only further frustrates them.
i think by repeating and then summarizing at the end of each class helps, people enjoy the recap.
I try to understand what their goals are so that I can help them reach those goals. I look at exam scores and sit with the students individually to go over the questions they were not successful answering to ensure comprehension.
shauna,
I think the more variety we use in our instructional approaches, the greater chance we have of helping all of our students.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I ask students to see me one on one and I listen to check for understanding and assist with any difficulties in comprehending course material.
I ask students to see me one on one and I listen to check for understanding and assist with any difficulties in comprehending course material.
I always reflect on past experiences the student may have had. Including current obstacles that they have overcome while attending classes.
Students in our nursing course are exposed to hundreds of words (medications, diseases/conditions, etc.) that they must develop competence in pronouncing and defining. I have introduced utilizing howjsay.com as a way to repetitively practice pronouncing these new words. As I work with (and tutor) students who are ESL learners, I find they use web sites designed to help them translate words. This helps them begin to "own" the English word, and then add meaning to the definition and application of the word. I appreciate the posts in this forum, and will definitely incorporate vocabulary lists with each teaching session, using the ideas presented here. Thanks!
When working with these students they need to know that they have a safe learning environment where they can ask questions. Also, after a difficult lecture I like to take time after class to answer their questions.
