Barbara Islas

Many students struggle with learning disabilities, including understanding English. By using a diverse learning approach, this will not only assist those students with diverse learning needs but will help all students to learn in various manners. Some students have difficulty reading and some with writing. 

I love using group activities for a learning experience. Although the course recommends 5-6 people per group, I tend to keep the groups smaller. I don't like to have more than 4 people per group. The larger the group, the more often one or more members tend to not interact and contribute to the project. 

I loved the idea of presenting a pre-group project to have them get to know each other a bit better and to practice working in an environment that is "low stakes". Often, we will have groups work through a case study and have them role… >>>

I realized that I do use a lot of these techniques already. However, I tend to roam the classroom a lot. This might be a distraction for the students. I also need to slow down and make sure the concepts presented are understood before moving on to the next concept.

Amazing that technology now offers apps that can be helpful to the student experiencing learning difficulties. 

Students with learning disabilities may be very intelligent. However, they must learn to advocate for themselves and how to work through the challenges of their disabilities. Once they enter the career field, most employers will be unaware of their learning disability and most likely will not provide accommodations for them.

Students in post-secondary education may or may not be diagnosed with a learning disability. As educators, we can be alert to some of the signs that the student may have a disability. Although educators are not obligated to design a special plan for the students with a learning disability, it is important to find ways to assist the student/s by discovering why the student is having difficulties. Students may be referred to a success coach within the school and may be eligible for accommodations. 

I had a student who clearly displayed all the criteria for ADHD. I recommended the student… >>>

There are many types of learning disabilities ranging from reading to writing and solving math problems. People do not outgrow disabilities. However, they can learn to adapt.

It is difficult to remember students' names. By having them make a trifold "tent" to write their names on and post this on their desk the first day of class, it helps me to remember who each student is. We also use popsicle sticks with their name on each stick. When we want to call on a student to answer a question, pick out a popsicle stick and call out the name. 

In nursing, we learn the first step to treatment is to assess. In the teaching realm, we also must assess first prior to responding. This is done by listening and looking for cues through body language. Once we have allowed the student to vent, we can utilize therapeutic communication by reflecting back what we think the student has said prior to responding.

Learning their names is important. On the first day of class, use colored paper to have them create a trifold "tent" to put their name on with a sharpie. This helps me to know who they are. Students that are less likely to answer questions may fear they will answer wrong. We use individual white boards for them to write the answer to the questions on. Positive reinforcement will boost their confidence level.