Michael Miller

Assessment is important in the educational process.  Formative and summative assessments both have their places in the classroom.  Instructors should continually be using formative assessments to measure student learning and to adapt instruction to meet students' needs. 

Questioning is an important part of the learning process.  Asking questions give instructors an opportunity to measure the learning of the students.  When students are able to ask appropriate questions their learning advances even more.  Questions need to be worded correctly in order to solicit appropriate responses.

Providing instruction to meet the learning needs of all students is important.  Teachers need to be cognizant of their own learning style and avoid providing instruction in that one style.  All students have to adjust and learn using different learning styles because all instruction will not be delivered to meet every individual's needs.  

There are numerous apps available to accommodate students with learning disabilities.  Students will likely be aware of these apps and how to use them when they come to your class. 

Accommodations do change the overall requirements of the task.  Modifications do change the overall task.  Modifications require less and result in a lower level of learning.  Accommodations are not required at the postsecondary level.  Most employers do not provide accommodations. Students with learning difficulties must learn coping skills. 

Not all students with learning disabilities have been tested and diagnosed.  Some students will make it to high school without being identified. At the same time, some students will be identified at an early age and will learn to use their IEP as a crutch.  In these instances, the IEP does more harm than good.  Most accommodations that are good for students with learning disabilities are good for all students regardless of learning ability. 

According to the text, about 10 percent of individuals have learning disabilities.  In my experience, teachers have limited knowledge of how to work with students disabilities. Understanding learning disabilities can help teachers meet the individual needs of students. 

Teachers need to be prepared and professional, but teachers are human.  We all make mistakes.  Don't be afraid to admit you have made a mistake.  My students love to catch me making a mistake.  We have fun with it, learn, and move on. They are more receptive to correction and/or constructive criticism when they know the teacher is human. 

Getting to know students will help teachers understand where students are coming from.  A knowledge of students will help teachers tailor ways of dealing with behaviors. 

Students come with a variety of behaviors and willingness to participate in class.  Being prepared and being able to notice the different behaviors will help teachers deal with different behaviors.  Probably the most important thing noted in this section is the part that reminds teachers to look at themselves when they are having problems with a child.  We can change ourself a lot faster than we can change a kid.