Jamie Youngblood

Learning disabilities mean that while a student can have the potential for high achievement, their disability may impact them from processing and accessing new information without accommodations.  Accommodations can be different for an individual based on their disability. 

An individual with a physical disability may require individualized accommodations to ensure they are able to engage in learning.  

Students in higher education or vocational programming will need to disclose their disability and provide documentation to request accommodations to support their learning needs.  Instructors have the responsibility to ensure that approved accommodations are implemented to provide access to learning/testing materials.

Students with disabilities can be impacted by their disability differently depending on what their disability is.  Students with disabilities are generally average to above-average learners.  Their unevenness in a specific area may alert parents or service providers that the student may require support or accommodations to support their learning.

I think this has been one of the most meaningful topics for me.  Motivating others is a powerful way to increase productivity in students and employees.  Providing autonomy creates an opportunity for a sense of ownership as long as there is a directive that states a general end goal.  Giving individuals tasks that they can do with confidence, but with some challenge, provides the opportunity for intrinsic motivation through mastery.  Having an intimate connection between what the student or employee is doing and knowing how it matters provides purpose in meaning which can create an inner drive and contribute to… >>>

Creating opportunities for students to create portfolios can empower students, increase their motivation and engagement in the coursework, and also better prepare them for employability. 

Providing opportunities to empower students can enhance overall student success throughout the course.  Providing ample use of technology can also increase student access to information and empower students to make a seamless transition from learning in the class to applying and continuing their learning outside of the classroom.

Build rapport with students beginning with day one and learning students names and backgrounds.  Provide lots of opportunity for students to contribute and engage with collaborative learning to increase student empowerment.

I love the idea of creating shared learning goals in addition to the already identified learning objectives of the course.  Empowering students and enhancing student ownership creates greater opportunity for success.

Strategies for supporting successes with intrinsic (internal) or extrinsic (external) motivators differ and can both be valuable to support with increasing security and autonomy in the classroom.