Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a condition that is associated with a short span of attention and is therefore also associated with learning difficulties. Many people who suffer from ADD fall through the educational cracks, lose out on vital learning experiences and have tremendous difficulties accomplishing learning endeavors despite their extremely high levels of intelligence. However, there are a number of learning methods that can vastly improve the learning endeavors of those who suffer from the condition.
Blended Learning
Individuals who suffer from ADD require a blended learning approach to be successful in all learning endeavors. Blended learning techniques involve the use of a variety of teaching methods, which are used in unison to educate the individual with ADD. This method of learning allows for the student with ADD to partake of traditional classroom education via lectures, but it also gives the student access to hands on activities as well. Sometimes, the use of a computer is added to blended teaching styles to allows the ADD student to use visual and kinesthetic (movement-based learning style) methods of learning. This style of learning is excellent because it diversifies the material and presents the material through games, videos, movies, lectures and exercises, thereby expanding the possibility of appealing to the student with ADD.
Discovery Learning
Discovery learning is a method where an ADD student can engage in the joy of self discovery; the learner is offered experiments, projects, creative endeavors and hands-on activities so that he can learn through the process of discovery. An example of discovery learning can be witnessed in a science classroom where the student is asked to create a project on how volcanoes work. The student is provided with a general guideline of criteria that must be met, but the project is given a creative and independent slant where the student can choose how the project is completed and what activities the project will involve. The student might create a working model of the volcano, a computer presentation, a poster or a video documentary. This form of learning allows the student to work at a self-defined paced with independence and encourages the student to want to learn more through discovery.
Spaced Learning
Spaced learning is a learning style that addresses the specific attention span of those with ADD. This method of learning gives the ADD student the opportunity to learn in small, timed intervals, and involves repeating the information again and again in different forms and in different ways. Usually, the teacher teaches a new subject three times in a row with 10 minute breaks during each activity, which will involve some physical activity or short game that is related to the material being learned. This type of learning allows the teacher to offer material in a variety of forms, both visually and kinesthetically, as well as in small increments.
Fun Learning
Making learning fun is one of the fastest methods for gaining the attention of a person with ADD. A person with ADD will be far more interested in what is being taught if the material is offered in an exciting and entertaining way. For example, if you want to help a child learn new material, the best way to do that is to make the learning a game. The computer can be used to offer visual games that can help the ADD student master numbers and new words via interactive websites that are student friendly. Alternatively, the teacher and the student can make up games related to the material. The only prerequisite is that the student enjoys what she is doing while learning. This will promote a willingness to learn, and it will also make the material easier to master.
Conform to the Student's Learning Style
Some students are visual learners, while other students learn more from verbal tasks and lectures. Other students learn better when there is movement involved in a task. ADD students will learn better and will be more appreciative of learning endeavors when the teacher uses methods that specifically cater to the student's learning preferences. If the student has reading retention difficulties, then lectures and visual presentations, verbal lesson plans, and testing will be a better match for the student's learning style. Meanwhile, if a student has difficulty sitting still long enough to really absorb verbally shared lessons, hands-on activities and projects involving motion should be offered to cater to the student's learning.
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