keeping them motivated and not giving up when they feel overwhelmed.
I face the same struggle that Kristina does with having to cover complex material in a short 5 week MOD and the class sessions are so long that retention is a problem even for some gifted students. It is hard to make sure the diverse learners are all being addressed. One way is with summative and cummulative assessments but a five week MOD does not leave much time for students to prepare for assessment and then to review based upon the results. Any advice?
This is important to find time in our busy schedule for, but I also agree at time it can become challenging to find enough time to give to the needed time for the students.
The balancing of time inside the classroom between the amount of time that I can give to the student and moving the class forward as a whole plus offering some additional time for the disabled student after class. Supporting the student with some outside assistance from an aid if needed / wanted.
David,
this is definitely very challenging to keep the class moving & help those students who need a little extra help.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
The first challenge in working with a student with a learning disability is to get them to come forth and inform you of their problem. I have had one student with dyslexia, I found presenting the information at a slower pace helped as well as repetition and associating the information to other things worked well too.
being able to help them without interfereing with the rest of class. Being able to still provide challenging work to the other students without compromising the integrity of the class.
I think that finding an accommodation that will improve their comprehension of the material of skill to assure their success.
Some difficulties I have experienced in the past is first, determining if there is indeed a learning disability if the student does not offer up any information. Second, determining which type of learning best suits the student and being sure to implement it as much as possible into an already developed curriculum.
I would say the greatest challenge working with students with learning disabilities is making sure they have enough resources or support available without neglecting the other students or having them perceive others as receiving "special treatment".
One of our biggest challenges working with students who have learning disabilities is getting them to feel comfortable with how we are going at getting them through our course. Also we make it a priority that we assign a fellow student how can assist us with them when it comes to getting through his or her disabilities.
Ron
Terri,
you hit on an important note & that is helping them with the comprehension. This is where they will find the success they need.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Working with adult learners with learning disabilities is new for me. I have a great deal of experience working with middle schoolers with learning disabilities and I have developed a number of strategies that worked well for individual students and helped make certain I was making the accommodations and modifications necessary to help them succeed (and that were required by their IEPs). With adult learners, however, especially those who tell me they have a learning disability but have not provided documentation to my school's administrators, it is a different entity and a different struggle.
Learning which problem(s) this individual student may have. Determine if previous experience worked for him/her and then developing, with his/her input a strategy for the class at hand (upcoming).
Gary L. Schlomer
Having the time and extra resources to help them. You have to he really good time management skills your self to be able to take the time and figure out what that particular student needs.
Our 5 week MOD's lack the extra amount of time necessary for student with a learning disability to cover and comprehend the subject matter. I offer tutoring as well as suggest the student receive outside tutoring as well. Many times a fellow classmate encourages and assists to help a struggling student with learning disabilities too, which is absolutely wonderful.
You need to use differentiated instruction for all students. If one thing doesn't work for a student'students/then change it up. You notice your test are mixtures of types of questions, but some don't do well on true and false. make change types of questions for the following test to meet the needs of all students.
The greatest challenge with working with students with disabilities is that many of them have not had an advocate or know how to self advocate and have just been pushed through to get the IEP while in high school.
Time---trying to continue with other students and not leaving some behind. Often I find that other students are willing to help and this is great teamwork.
Deborah ,
this is true & asking them what has helped them in the past is a great way to effectively help them now.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
