Sunday 21 March 2010

ADHD... A Learning Difficulty or just bad teaching?

Multiple Intelligence

After watching the video on the courseware about by Sir Ken Robinson I felt moved.  It is interesting to see how society as a whole has shifted.  I think it is important to embrace all children’s individual differences and use their diversity to create more amazing things and develop innovative ideas, which have not been previously welcomed in the public school system.  I found it extraordinary to think about the number of people that have been diagnosed with ADHD in our society, that may have been able to flourish elsewhere, much like Gillian Lynne, if they too have had to opportunity to nurture their talents, instead of it being ‘educated out of them’.

 

During my childhood a main role model in my life was illiterate.  He had never been given the opportunity to attend school past Grade 4 and as a consequence could not read and write as an adult.  During his adult years, he approached many different educational institution to help develop his reading and writing skills, however, not for lack of determination and desire to learn he was unable to master the everyday skills we take for grated, such as reading, writing, recording telephone numbers, ordering food off a menu and typing on a computer.  However, he has lead an amazing life and has skills that could put any educated man to shame.  He is a Master Farrier by trade, in addition to being a horse trainer and is exceptional at his job.  He has acquired the skills and knowledge through applying different learning techniques (though incorporating audio and visual learning, such as watching demonstrations and then replicating what he has been taught and putting it into practice). 

 

Therefore I have a strong desire to help students in similar situations and I can only hope that I, as a learning manager have to opportunity to help students who have learning difficulties realise their true calling and utilise what we now know about different learning styles and multiple intelligences to enhance their unique talents. 

2 comments:

  1. Hi Chloe, your post is very inspiring. I like the story about your role model and it is a good example of how you don't have to be an 'academic' success to be successful in life. Regards, Carolyne

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  2. Thank you Carolyne. I am very proud of this man, however the sad truth is, not many people who are illiterate are this determined to make something of themselves and seek out the help they need. Thus, I believe teaching literacy is still imperative in our soon to be roles as Learning Managers, additionally, if we can use techniques from ICTs for Learning Design, then we have a benefit over other teachers in trying to directly relate with these students that have learning difficulties.

    I know you are an external student, but lately in class we have been having conversations about Aboriginal students and the way they interact, learn and present themselves. Due to their culture, from what I have established, the way they learn can be altered if they feel they are going to fail the task that is set. One lecturer was describing a case in Gladstone, where the literacy and numeracy in Indigenous students at this school had significantly increased, mainly due to largely incorporating ICTs in their learning. I believe it is not important what the students learn (provided in aligns with the essential learnings) it is how we teach them, to ensure they learn. This is something that was not thought of many years ago, everything was about rote learning and ‘chalk and talk’ in order for student to recall facts.

    My aim as a Learning Manager is to ensure I use effective pedagogy in my learning experiences. I want to canter for all forms of diversity in my classroom and have students understanding what they have learnt, how they learnt is and how they could then apply this knowledge to everyday life and use it again.

    Warm Regards
    Chloe

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