Learning Differences & Distance Learning

Distance learning presents a new set of challenges to students with learning differences (LD).

As  previously mentioned, all accommodations will continue to be implemented for students who need them. Students who learn differently  may experience a number of pros and cons when adapting to online learning. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

Positives of Online Learning

• Personalized instruction
• Permanence of information
• Multimodal communication: read, hear, see information
• Reduced anxiety to produce on the spot answers

Challenges of Online Learning

• Computer literacy
• Remaining engaged without external or non-verbal cues
• Accessing immediate tech support
• Challenges to executive functioning

Executive Functioning

Executive functioning skills take many forms, which may present a disparate set of challenges to students who struggle with these skills. The chart below helps to highlight some--though not all--of the kinds of skills inherent in executive functioning, followed by some examples of ways students, teachers, and families can help address them. 

• Thomas Brown Model of Executive Functioning (with additional information by Kit Waffle)

The list of best practices above are just a sample. For more information or assistance regarding learning differences, please contact Mid-Pen’s Literacy Advancement Teacher, Kit Waffle, at kit@mid-pen.org.