Let’s look at some best practices, classroom techniques, technologies and processes that are not only assisting students with dyslexia, but indeed children with other learning disabilities, as well as the entire class.
One aspect that will forever be a part of the learning process of student is collaboration. Even though collaboration is deeply human, education technology can support and enhance it. Here are a few examples of ed-tech that teachers can use in their instruction to do just that:
Dyslexia, and its lesser-known cousin, Dyscalculia are defined as a brain-based learning difficulties related to either reading, or to the difficulty in learning or comprehending arithmetic. Dyslexics think differently — perhaps it’s time our classrooms think a bit more like them, rather than forcing them to think more like us.
By assessing your students’ needs, looking for patterns and exceptions within a group, shifting and expanding your teaching methods, and seeking alternative opportunities for testing will allow you to facilitate a course that is designed for students of many learning needs.
Dr Mitchell Resnick, MIT professor of learning research, heads up the MIT Media Lab’s Lifelong Kindergarten research group. He believes the greatest invention of the last 1000 years was kindergarten. Let’s explore some of the resources the lab has created, available to teachers across grades.
Empathy makes the world go round, or at least helps schools become the loving and caring environment that students need to succeed, no matter their background. Implementing a more empathic approach in schools helps support wellbeing for everyone involved, having a ripple effect on entire communities.
When it comes to effective self-care for real teachers, the general trend of recommendations centres around finding a community of teachers with whom you share the unique dynamic of stress. The best place to do that is within the ambit of Professional Development courses.
All students bring colour and individuality to their classrooms, no matter if they’re introverted or extroverted. Great teachers know that when students’ learning needs are met they can thrive academically. All students can benefit from having e-learning included in their instruction, but introverts will rejoice.
Students learn better in a warm and welcoming environment. They also reap the full benefits of social learning by having better relationships with their peers. Empathy can improve academic performance, but also in the long run help students be better listeners, colleagues, and even digital citizens.
Digital Humanities is delivering incredible tools and techniques to help students understand their world a bit better. The tools are typically easy to use, and can be adapted across grades and subjects — a true blend of technology and pedagogy delivering platforms for real insight as well as demystifying how data can reveal true knowledge.
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