Country Studied: Finland
Area of Focus: Evaluating the impacts to children with LD
Type of learning difficulty the Best Practice is supporting:
- General or specific learning difficulties
Aims and objectives of Best Practice
With each child, it would be important to know the best ways to support their learning and to understand what their personal interests are. Language-based skills, such as reading and writing, are elementary skills that each child needs to learn to succeed in studies. In some cases, however, it may be difficult to find the reason why a child is not learning or is struggling with tasks that seem easy to others. It is not always clear whether the question is about developmental based learning difficulty or for example, simply lack of interest from the child’s side. A child’s attention may be focused on other topics, such as friends, computer games, to their own imagination or possibly to family related topics. Especially with language-based learning difficulties, practice is the key.
Short description of Best Practice
Teachers’ responses indicated they have a variety of materials in use. Once reviewing the responses, the conclusion was that 90% of the responses refer to materials that support functional learning and communicative approach, such as seen in answer: Functional songs and playing. 60 % of the answers indicated using the publisher’s digital materials, as well as a variety of other tools, as seen in the comments provided: High five digital learning material, notebooks, handouts, gymnasium, art crafts, sport equipment. Another teacher said to be using: Go-book and the related digital materials, different songs (Youtube), plays, coloring pictures, cards and games, Oxford-Owl. and a third teacher commented to be using another publisher’s materials: Jump in-digital learning materials + books to children.
3 Key learning Principles that were used in this Best Practice to support learners with LD
- Speak clearly and turn so students can see your face.
- Allow time for students to process requests and allow them to ask questions.
- Use graphic organizers to support understanding of relationships between ideas.
- Use adaptive equipment if appropriate (books on tape, laptop computers, etc.).
Strategies used as part of Best Practice
- Adapting instruction to various learning styles.
- Individualized Learning Plans.
- Guidance on creating and implementing individualized learning plans.
- Collaboration with support services and professionals.
- Strategies for modifying or creating teaching materials to suit different abilities.
- Creating a positive and supportive classroom environment.
- Other:
- Ask questions in a clarifying manner, then have students describe their understanding of the questions.
- Use an overhead projector with an outline of the lesson or unit of the day.
- Reduced course load.
- Provide clear photocopies of notes and overhead transparencies.
Results and impact
When viewing learning difficulties or challenges in school, the social network around the child is quite important. In this thesis, the approach is to review the school environment and family’s involvement. This thesis will not look closely at the support mechanisms which schools have available for children to support their learning, or the external networks that may possibly impact a child’s learning.
Evidence as to why this was considered Good Practice
Answers were reviewed firstly on the basis of how many saw benefits and which of them could be connected to the communicative and functional side of early English learning. By using this view, responses indicated that 90% of responses saw early English learning to have benefits linked with it. 80 % of the responses provided were linking the benefits especially to the communicative side of learning: Children can take their time to learn speaking while they do not need to take pressure of writing. Kids like it a lot. Pronunciation learning was said to be easier as well: Practicing the pronunciation takes place via songs and poems. Children are very eager to learn new. Even a tiny language skill is eagerly used. Teachers also commented that learning is motivational, and children are eager to learn, they are enthusiastic and have courage to try learning.
Transferability
- Provide a detailed course outline before class begins.
- Keep oral instructions logical and concise, and reinforce them with brief cue words.
- Repeat or re-word complicated directions.
Resources used as part of Best Practice
- Frequently verbalize what is being written on the board.
- At the end of class, summarize the important segments of each presentation.
- Eliminate classroom distractions (e.g. excessive noise, flickering lights, etc.).
- Give assignments both in written and oral form.
- Have more complex lessons recorded and available to the students.
- Have practice exercises available for lessons, in case the student has problems.
- Have student underline keywords or directions on activity sheets (then review the sheets with them).
Critical issues
The Significance of Mental Health Support
The mental health of individuals with learning difficulties is as important as their physical health. They may face unique challenges that can impact their emotional well-being, making mental health support a critical component of their care.
Addressing Emotional and Psychological Needs
Mental health support should address the emotional and psychological needs of individuals with learning difficulties. This can include counseling, therapeutic activities, and support groups that provide a safe space to express feelings and learn coping strategies.
Any additional learning that we can take from this Best Practice, example:
- Provide and teach memory strategies, such as mnemonic strategies and elaborative rehearsal.
- Write legibly, use large types, and do not clutter the board.
- Assist the student in borrowing notes from a peer if necessary.
