According to Kohli (2018), learning disabilities, sometimes known as specific learning difficulties are heterogeneous group of conditions that causes deficit in language, spoken or written, difficulty to comprehend and perform mathematical calculations.
Learners with learning difficulties in most school set ups under achieve due to a number of factors such as behavioural, psychological and emotional issues. Regular absenteeism, ineffective instructions also contributes to development of learning disabilities among learners.
In many learning institutions, teachers and caregivers categorises learners with learning difficulties as ‘slow learners’. This is because these learners usually portray a below average cognitive abilities in comparison to their ‘normal’ colleagues.
Failure by the teachers to monitor learner’s regular school attendance is a recipe for acquisition and development of learning difficulties.
A learner who misses lessons will find it difficult to acquire a concept learned by his or her peers. This will lead to the learner seeing the learning area as challenging and thus develop a dislike for it.
Inadequate preparation by the teacher before entering a classroom is suicidal to the learners. A teacher who inadequately prepares is like a soldier going to the battlefield without firearms.
Lesson presentation will be haphazard and thus failure to achieve the objectives intended. Acquisition of concepts will abort as the teacher enters the classroom. This, without doubt, will make the learning boring to the extent of the learners develop negative attitude towards the teacher.
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Poor mastery of content by the teacher heavily contributes to a dull lesson. The teacher should always make a reflection of himself or herself basing on the previous lessons taught. In a scenario where s/he feels incompetent in a strand or sub strand, the teacher should become bold and solicit for help from a colleague who may be better than him/her (As long as they teach the same learning area).This is called team or co-teaching.
Paying attention to individual learners makes the teacher understand the specific areas of strength and weakness of a learner. At the same time, going through learners exercise books will tell you the extent to which the writing skill is being developed.
A teacher who fails to pay attention to individual learners needs and doesn’t take time to go through learners written work will in this regard be encouraging the development of learning disabilities amongst his/her learners.
In view of the above exposition, teachers have the ability to prevent and stop a wide range of learning disabilities such as dyslexia (Reading difficulty), dyscalculia (Mathematical calculation difficulty) and dysgraphia (Distorted reading).
By Joseph Kiptoo
The writer is a master of Education student at Massine Molino University of Science and Technology.
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