Weblog: Learning Disabilities
NIFL LD Listserv Discussion on Dyslexia
I am very pleased to announce the Learning Disabilities Discussion List's next guest discussion scheduled for September 22 and 23, 2008. The title of the discussion will be The Dyslexia Research Registry: Making the Difference in Reading Research! Dr. Megan Dixon Bakan, Research Associate, Florida State University, will be our guest speaker.
This article continues... »New Toolkit on Teaching and Assessing Students with Disabilities
The US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is pleased to announce a new addition to the OSEP Toolkit on Teaching and Assessing Students With Disabilities. The Toolkit addendum focuses on universal design for learning (UDL). UDL is a framework for designing educational environments that help students engage in learning to increase knowledge and skills.
The Toolkit includes information and resources to support the implementation of UDL and is useful for policymakers, education personnel, and parents to implement UDL strategies and practices.
While the focus of the Toolkit is mainly on K-12 educational settings, there are many helpful materials and information for the adult educator such as the information on UDL, Adolescent Literacy, and the information on Assistive Technology found in the Parent materials.
This new addition is available at http://www.osepideasthatwork.org and CDs will be available shortly through ED Pubs http://edpubs.ed.gov/.
Assistive Technology
I wanted to call your attention to an issue of Update on LD that was published in September 2006 on the topic of Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning. Many of the resources included in the issue are still very relevant today and are worth another look.
To view the issue, go to: http://www.valrc.org/publications/updateonld/updateonld0906.htm
Executive Function Disorder
The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) says that executive function is a term used to "describe a set of mental processes that helps us connect past experience with present action." We use executive function when we perform such activities as planning, organizing, strategizing, paying attention, and remembering details. People with executive function problems have difficulty with managing time and space. They also show weakness with "working memory" (or "seeing with the mind's eye"), which is an important tool in guiding one's actions. To learn more about Executive Function Disorder and how to help those who have it, go to: http://www.ldonline.org/article/24880
SABES Field Notes Issue on Learning Disabilties
Find a wealth of information in SABES's Field Notes newsletter with a focus on learning disabilities. Find articles from that explore SMARTER teaching methods, graphic organizers, and much more. To download the newsletter, go to: http://www.sabes.org/resources/publications/fieldnotes/vol17/fn172.pdf
Cognitive Instruction Strategies Website
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has built a website devoted to Cognitive Strategy Instruction. While it is geared mainly to children, many of the strategies are also applicable to adults. Check it out at: http://www.unl.edu/csi/index.shtml
The Writing Road: Reinvigorate Your Students' Enthusiasm for Writing
LDOnline.org has a new article by Regina Richards on how to help your struggling writers. Please go to: http://www.ldonline.org/article/5608 to learn more about strategies to provide meaningful and effective writing instruction to your learners.
Learning Disabilities in the Workplace
Read what Paul J. Gerber, Ph.D., noted expert in post-school issues for adults with learning disabilities particularly in the area of employment, has to say as he answers questions for parents and adults on important topics such as:
The Media Library of Teaching Skills
The Media Library of Teaching Skills (MLoTS) project, a free web-based library of short digital videos of adult education classrooms and tutorials. These videos are intended to applicable to all levels of ESOL, ABE, and GED instruction.
This article continues... »LD Talk: Learning Disabilities in the Workplace
On January 24, from 11 am - 12 pm ET, join our expert, Paul J. Gerber, Ph.D., noted expert in post-school issues for adults with learning disabilities, particularly in the area of employment, as he answers questions for parents and adults on important topics.
This article continues... »NIFL Discussion on Comprehension Monitoring Strategies for Adult Readers
From February 4-8, 2008, please join the NIFL Family Literacy Discussion listserv for a discussion moderated by Susan McShane and Donna Elder on the topic of comprehension monitoring strategies for adult readers. To sign up for this discussion, go to: http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/Familyliteracy
This article continues... »New Issue of Focus on Basics Devoted to Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities is the topic of a new issue of "Focus on Basics", now available at http://www.ncsall.net/fileadmin/resources/fob/2007/fob_8d.pdf.
Articles range from neurology and dyslexia to legal issues related to serving students with learning disabilities, to best practices shared by skilled teachers, to three states' approaches to serving students with learning disabilities, to addressing the needs of ESOL learners, to technology, to transitions to college, to changing practice at the program and classroom level: there's something for everyone.
New NIFL Learning Disabilities Listserv Discussion
Dr. Arlyn Roffman will be joining the NIFL Learning Disabilities listserv to discuss the topic of "Guiding Teens with LD: Navigating the Transition from High School to Adulthood."
Discussion will take place on the NIFL Learning Disabilities listserv on November 8 and 9. If you are not already subscribed to the NIFL Learning Disabilities listserv, you may do so by going to: http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/LearningDisabilities
This article continues... »Learning Disabilities and English Language Learners
Colorin Colorado, in conjuntion with Reading Rockets, has made available a webcast about instructing English Language Learners with Learning Disabilities. While the webcast is geared to K-12 students, it has relevant information and application for the adult literacy educator and learner. To view the webcast, go to: http://www.readingrockets.org/webcasts/ondemand/2007. This webpage will also give you additional resources to explore on this topic.
Also of interest are two articles available at LDOnline. They are "Communication Strategies for All Classrooms: Focusing on English Language Learners and Students with Learning Disabilities" by Dale S. Brown and Karen Ford at: http://www.ldonline.org/article/19260 and "Learning Disabilities in English Language Learners" by Louise Spear-Swerling at: http://www.ldonline.org/spearswerling/8001.
Reading Skills for Today's Adults
Reading Skills for Today's Adults is an easy to use online resource. This project was designed to create leveled reading selections that are appropriate for and valued by adult learners. These materials, combined with the research-proven strategies of repeated reading and guided oral reading, aid in building learners' fluency and comprehension skills. The materials correspond to Casas 200 - 235. This project helps adults become better readers and more informed consumers, parents, employees, citizens and community members. The focus of these reading selections will be on topics such us: Civics, Employment, Housing, Health, School, Money, and Government. The readings are appropriate for both ESOL and LD learners. To explore more about this resource, go to: http://www.marshalladulteducation.org/readingskillshome.htm
Adults and Learning Disabilities Online Course Available in the Fall Session
VALRC's newest online professional development course, Adults and Learning Disabilities, will be available during our fall session as one of our regular course offerings. To find out more about the course, go to: http://www.valrc.org/training/online/.
Renton Technical College's Universal Design for Learning Website
Renton Technical College in Renton, Washington has a website devoted to the Universal Design for Learning Project. The website is full of wonderful information about UDL as well as learning disabilities, assistive technology, and learning styles. Find out everything the website has to offer at: http://webs.rtc.edu/ii/dsdp.html.
Washington State's Learning Disabilities Project
Recently on NIFL's Learning Disabilities listserv there was a discussion of Washington State's Learning Disabilities Project which has met with quite a bit of success for students with learning disabilities. The discussion outlined what programs were doing and how they work to meet the needs of their learners. The entire discussion is archived at http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/LDFullDiscussion.
December Issue of Update on LD
We are excited to offer you the latest issue of Update on LD. This issue focuses on Learning Disabilities and the Law. This issue includes information on how the laws are applied, a comparison of the laws, the responsibilities and rights of both learners and programs, links for learning more about learning disability law, and even a self-quiz . Read the latest Update on LD now.
Update on LD
We are excited to offer you the latest issue of Update on LD. This issue focuses on Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning. This issue includes a review of an excellent resource available from the Resource Center library, links for free assistive technology resources, and websites where you can learn more about Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning. To view it, go to: http://www.valrc.org/publications/updateonld/updateonld0906.htm.
"Assistive Technology, Instructional Technology, and Universal Design Strategies for Adult Literacy" Discussion
Beginning Tuesday, September 19th through Friday, September 22nd, there will be a guest discussion on the National Institute for Literacy's Technology listserv on "Assistive Technology, Instructional Technology, and Universal Design Strategies for Adult Literacy" with guest facilitator Dr. Dave Edyburn of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. To subscribe to the list, go to: http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/Technology.
This article continues... »Learning Disabilities Training Available
If your program is interested in scheduling a training on learning disabilities and difficulties in adults, please contact me, Lauren Ellington, at leellington@vcu.edu or 800-237-0178. I will be happy to customize a training for your program needs.