WR8 Assess and Accommodate Learning Needs of Disabled Adults, ESL Adults and Older Adults

 

Objective -  By the end of the lesson given instructions and reading assignment, scholars will:

·         Describe the special needs of an ESL student

·         Describe the special needs of an older retired adult

·         Describe the special needs of a physically disabled adult

·         Describe the special needs of a learning disabled adult

·         Describe the special needs of a visually impaired adult

·         Describe the special needs of a hearing impaired adult

·         Write and submit a report in memo format to the class-at-large via e-mail by the due date syllabus



Assignment Description

Throughout this quarter you have been directed to various Web sites and books that provided information on how to assess and accommodate adults for various learning styles and circumstances.  You've been developing a list of on-line resources for educators of adult learners.  Now it is time to put the information and skills you've acquired to the test.  Look back at the students from classes you've taught and taken.  Some of those students brought special needs to the learning experience.  Many students today have limited English due to English being their second language.  The number of older and even retired adult re-entering the educational system is at an all time high and is expected to reach 50% over the next decade.  Adults with physical disabilities such as limitations of movement due to illness or injury, visually and hearing impaired are provided for through the ADA.  Learning disabilities are now recognized and assistance is available.

Throughout your teaching career you will be expected to accommodate students with special needs in your vocational courses.  Whether you teach automotive, allied health, culinary arts, business, or any vocational subject, you will need to meet the needs of these special students within the confines of your routine curriculum.  These challenges will require creative thinking "outside the box."  You may need to devise new methods of accomplishing tasks.  If you are unprepared, it will undoubtedly required additional work to modify your lesson plans to accommodate these students.  Having an action plan in place in advance will reduce your workload and ensure your special needs students receive the assistance they need from day 1 of your class.  Planning will allow you to utilize mainstream students to support your efforts which not only reduces your workload but prevents isolation and alienation of students.

The objective for this assignment is not to make a new lesson or to make a different lesson for each disability.  The objective is to take one lesson already in your curriculum and give thought to how it could be easily modified to accommodate special needs students to ensure their success.  Draw upon all your experiences and resources such as the Internet, interview fellow instructors, CSUSB facilities or those of your institution.  Libraries have many books and periodicals dedicated to this subject, for example the San Bernardino public library on 6th and E street has an excellent adult literacy department.   Develop an action plan for students with special needs.  Select one lesson from the course you teach or hope to teach.  Describe specifically how you will facilitate student learning and provide the appropriate accommodate an ESL student, a retired student, one type of physical disabled student, one learning disabled student, a visually impaired student and a hearing impaired student.   Be specific and give one example for each.  Discuss how your lesson content can be presented without lowering the bar, disrupting normal classroom activities, or alienating students.  Use tools such as handouts with pictures or larger print, interpreters, special work stations, bilingual course materials, etc. 

 

Grading Criteria

This assignment is worth 10% of your grade. 

Reports meeting the following criteria will receive an "A." 

·         Describe the special needs of an ESL student (2 points)

·         Describe the special needs of an older retired adult (2 points)

·         Describe the special needs of a physically disabled adult (1 point)

·         Describe the special needs of a learning disabled adult (2 points)

·         Describe the special needs of a visually impaired adult (1 point)

·         Describe the special needs of a hearing impaired adult (1 point)

·         Write and submit a report in memo format to the class-at-large via e-mail by the due date 1 point)

 

Extra Credit

Provide a list citing your sources and references following APA format

 

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