Topic: Report on the Learning
Difficulties faced by students in the school classrooms
Learning difficulty
is a condition in the brain that causes difficulties comprehending or
processing information and can be caused by several different factors. Given
the "difficulty learning in a typical manner", this does not exclude
the ability to learn in a different manner. Learning difficulty is also called, learning
disorder, or learning disability. Some people can be more accurately
described as having a "learning difference", thus avoiding any
misconception of being disabled with a lack of ability to learn and possible
negative stereotyping. In the United Kingdom, the term "learning
disability" generally refers to an intellectual disability, while
difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia are usually
referred to as "learning difficulties".
While learning disability and learning
difficulty are often used interchangeably. These problems, however, are
not enough to warrant an official diagnosis. People with learning disability
generally have intelligence that is average or higher.
Here, we discuss
the learning difficulties faced by stud
ents in the classroom setup. It is very
important to understand the capabilities of students as they all have unique
talents and intelligence. Therefore, to understand them in a right perspective
is very important as a teacher; so that, the teacher can guide them in a proper
and right direction.
1.1. Types of Learning
difficulties
1.1.1. Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a
learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying
speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding).
Also called reading disability, dyslexia affect areas of the brain that process
language.
People with
dyslexia have normal intelligence and usually have normal vision. Most children
with dyslexia can succeed in school with tutoring or a specialized education
program. Emotional support also plays an important role. Though there's no cure
for dyslexia, early assessment and intervention result in the best outcome.
Sometimes dyslexia go undiagnosed for years and isn't recognized until
adulthood, but it's never too late to seek help.
1.1.2. Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia
is a learning disability that makes math challenging to process and understand.
Symptoms range from difficulty with counting and basic mental math to trouble
with telling time and direction.
Dyscalculia
is a math learning disability that impairs an individual’s ability to learn
number-related concepts, perform accurate math calculations, reason and problem
solve, and perform other basic math skills. Dyscalculia is sometimes
called “number dyslexia” or “math dyslexia.” Individuals with dyscalculia have
difficulties with all areas of mathematics — problems not explained by a lack
of proper education, intellectual disabilities, or other conditions. The learning disorder complicates
and derails everyday aspects of life involving mathematical concepts – like
telling time, counting money, and performing mental calculations.
1.1.3. Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia
is a learning disability characterized by writing difficulties, such as
impaired handwriting, poor spelling, and problems selecting the correct words
to use. Dysgraphia can cause different symptoms at different ages in children. Symptoms
also depend on the type of dysgraphia a person experience. Some people may have only
impaired handwriting or only impaired spelling, while others will have both. The
cause of dysgraphia is not always known, though in adults it sometimes follows
a traumatic event. Signs and symptoms may include:
- poor or illegible handwriting
- incorrect or odd spelling
- incorrect capitalization
- a mix of cursive and print writing styles
- using incorrect words
- omitting words from sentences
- slow writing speed
- fatigue after writing short pieces
- inappropriate letter sizing
- inappropriate letter spacing
- difficulty with grammar and sentence structure
- unusual position of the body or hands when
writing
- saying words aloud when writing them down
- watching the hands while writing
- tight or unusual pencil grip
- avoiding tasks involving writing or drawing
- difficulty taking notes at school or work.
Those with dysgraphia often have other learning disabilities or mental
health issues. Sometimes, the challenge of living with dysgraphia can lead to
anxiety and low self-esteem.
1.1.4. Language
Processing Disorder (LPD)
Expressive
and receptive language disorders impact a person’s ability to understand what others
are saying or translate the simplest thoughts into words. Language Processing Disorder
is an impairment that negatively affects communication on through spoken
language. There are two types of LPD. People with expressive language disorder
have trouble expressing thoughts clearly, while those with receptive language
disorder have difficulty in understanding others. One person with a language
disorder might find it difficult to speak extemporaneously or outline what they
are thinking, while another person might struggle to understand what others are
saying, to follow directions, or to maintain attention.
Symptoms
·
Have a limited vocabulary for their
age
- Use a lot of filler words like “um,” or use
“stuff” and “things” instead of more specific words
- Confuse verb tenses
- Repeat phrases when telling a story or
answering a question
- Frequently say sentences that don’t make sense
- Have trouble learning new words
- Feel like words are constantly stuck “at the
tip of their tongue”
- Often seem frustrated by their inability to
communicate thoughts.
1.1.5. Visual Perceptual Deficit
It affects the ability to understand
information gathered through visual means. Sensory data obtained through seeing
may be compromised due to defects in the way a person’s eyes move. These kinds
of ocular defects can impair reading comprehension skills, lead to a short
attention span, and negatively impact one’s ability to draw or copy information.
It becomes a great problem later on.
1.1.6. Dyspraxia
A person with dyspraxia has problems with movement,
coordination, judgment, processing, memory, and some other cognitive skills.
Dyspraxia also affects the body’s immune and nervous systems.
Dyspraxia is also known as motor
learning difficulties, perceptuo-motor dysfunction, and developmental
coordination disorder (DCD). The terms “minimal brain damage” and “clumsy child
syndrome” are no longer used. Individuals with dyspraxia have difficulties in
planning and completing fine and gross motor tasks. This can range from simple
motor movements, such as waving goodbye, to more complex ones like sequencing
steps to brush one’s teeth.
Individuals with dyspraxia often
have language problems, and sometimes a degree of difficulty with thought and
perception. Dyspraxia, however, does not affect the person’s intelligence,
although it can cause learning problems in children.
1.1.7. ADHD- Attention-Deficit/ Hyper-activity Disorder
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is
usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children
with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviours
(may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.
A child with ADHD might:
- daydream a lot
- forget or lose things a lot
- squirm or fidget
- talk too much
- make careless mistakes or take unnecessary
risks
- have a hard time resisting temptation
- have trouble taking turns
- have difficulty getting along
with others
Scientists are
studying cause(s) and risk factors in an effort to find better ways to manage
and reduce the chances of a person having ADHD.
1.2 Report
As
a part of B.Ed program, I had a school induction program for a month in St
Joseph Higher Secondary School, Chengal. I took classes to +2 students. They
were studious to learn and answer the questions asked during the class time.
They were eager enough and fast enough to make their class notes as well as
refer the text books.
As part of my
assessment technique, I distributed a questionnaire consisting of 20 questions
for which students responded very positively. My aim of the assessment was to
find out the learning difficulties of students in the classroom. I prepare my
questions accordingly and requested them to fill it up. After observing and
analysing the questionnaire, which was filled by student, I understood two students
are facing learning difficulties out of 60. Some are slow learners. Though my
teaching experience with them was very short, I could find out the learning
difficulties of the children. It is very important to understand the level of
our children in the classroom and teach accordingly. Students are capable of learning
through various modes. It is only through understanding the capacity of the
students, teacher can teach effectively and fruitfully.
1.3. Recommendations
These
are the recommendations which can be used to incorporate into the structure or framework
of school, so that children with learning disabilities also could be
accommodated and felt at home and welcome. It includes student’s comprehension
of task and the quality of their work.
1. Adopt a systematic, explicit,
multi-sensory methods of learning
2. Utilise demonstrations, observations,
and experimentations
3. Mind-maps and diagrams can be included
4. Provide additional time for written
task, including note taking, copying and tests.
5. Encourage the students to use hand exercises
when it becomes fatigued
6. Avoid criticism
7. Provide written as well as oral
directions for the same activity.
8. Be patient and positive
9. Always present only a small amount of
new materials
10. Make new concepts and build on old ones
in sequence.
11. Give them opportunity to drill on
skills and practice them to achieve skills
12. Make an open and constant
Communications.
13. Institutional designers should pay
attention to course designing elements that might be problematic to some
students.
1.4. Conclusion
Learning difficulties
are a group of disorders involving significant difficulties in the acquisition
and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical
abilities. It is very difficult to find out the
students who are having leaning difficulties in the classroom. But there are
multiple ways we can find out the disability and make some intelligent test and
through other methods.
Students with
learning difficulty have difficulties in specific areas of academic
achievements as a result of impairment in one or more of the cognitive process
related to learning. These kinds of problems can be solved through various tests
and methods, so that we can save life of every student with learning disability.
Learning disability has nothing to do with students’ intelligence.
Students with
learning difficulty should be treated very well. Without appropriate interventions,
a learning disability puts students at significant disadvantage, with little
likelihood of achieving at levels close to their academic potentials. Hence,
the students should be treated well to perform well in their education. Let the
students with learning disability also cherish and enjoy his/her schooling.
Reference
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