Barriers to learning

Learning DisabilitiesLearning disabilities involve a broad spectrum of diverse problems.

This may lead to: 1. Misunderstandings in the classroom2. Teasing from peers or inappropriate intervention from school authorities.

National Center on Secondary Education and Transition - bullying and teasing of children with learning disabilities has risen since 2003.

Often, school authorities ignore the harassment in an attempt to let the children "sort it out" or blame is automatically placed on the child with the disability.

Dyslexia – reading

difficulty reading single words (decoding)phonological difficultiesrecalling sight words - word namingverbal memory spannaming speedorthographic processingshort-term auditory memory

Dyscalculia - Mathematicsquantitative thinkingarithmetictimespacecalculation

Dysgraphia – written expressionspellinghandwritingwritten composition

Dysphasia – oral languagereceptiveexpressive

Solutions:

1. More one-on-one interactionExample:

*a small tutoring program

*homeschooling*peer coaching

Physical disabilities, like being blind, deaf or paralyzed

Students with physical disabilities are subject to teasing as well.

There is often a misconception that because a person is physically disabled he is also learning disabled.

Solution: School accommodations should be created for the disabled child.

Emphasize that being disabled is not a hindrance to learning.

Start & support anti-bullying campaigns in the school.

Ethnicity

•Students who live in ethnic neighborhoods may not have access to high-quality schools.

•If students live in neighborhoods that are low income, they often do not have the societal support to thrive in school.

Students in our country have less

access to computers and technology than students from other

countries, with a resulting limitation

on their educational opportunities.

Filipino Culture:

We were raised to never talk back at our elders.

Young people are not allowed to say anything when elders talk.

Young people are disrespectful if they do so.

Those who are new to the language may

experience harassment for not being able to speak

proficiently.

Hard Habit to BreakThis problem needs gradual adjustment.

We should encourage students to speak their minds.

All answers are considered opinions.

Suggestions should always be welcome.

Allow students to raise questions or complains.

Solutions:DisciplineExplainEncourageRewardSpeaking is okay.

Poverty is a significant barrier

to children succeeding in

school.

Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation

shows that students who come from

impoverished families do not have the same

level of academic support as children who

live in higher-income families.

These children do not have the same access to books, computers, classes and other supplements to after-school learning.

Poverty:

In addition, the parents of low-income students often have lower levels of education, and there may be no highly educated adults in the household to help these children complete homework assignments or act as role models..

This lack of mentoring can create an

environment in which the student lacks the motivation to study

and succeed.

Solution:Communicate with the parents of the

student.Motivate the students or give them a

reason to strive harder.Give reference books from the library

that they can use instead of internet surfing.

Lend hand outs for those students who really need it.

Tell students inspirational stories about independent learning.

Gender discrimination is one barrier to

participation in the classroom.

Example, there is often a lack of role models that fall outside traditional gender expectations for girls, such as being a homemaker, or occupations, such as a nurse or schoolteacher.

"Bridging the Gap: Gender Equity in Science, Engineering and Technology" from the Center for Women and Work at Rutgers University, girls who do not have role models for higher-paying jobs in the sciences and technology have lower self-confidence and career aspirations.

Solutions:

EncouragementGive information about people they can look up to.

Give activities that will boost self-confidence.

Treat everyone in the class fairly.