Good Sensory Learning Blog

With busy schedules, keyboard shortcuts can save a lot of time and frustration. Committing a few of your favorites to memory is worth the effort, and I have also created an image that you can print so that these tricks can be posted beside your computer - when needed.   Shortcuts often require you to hold down one or more modifier keys while pressing another key. For example, to use the print shortcut, Command-P (print), hold down Command and press P, and then release both keys. Here is a list of the modifier keys: Command ⌘ Shift ⇧ Option/alt ⌥ Control...

Working memory is a core executive functioning skill and one of the most essential cognitive processes involved in learning. It serves as the brain’s temporary workspace — the mental notepad where we hold, manipulate, and integrate new and stored information. Every academic task, from reading comprehension to solving math problems, depends on a student’s ability to keep information active in their mind while using it to reason, plan, and respond.   In fact, recent research shows that working memory is a stronger predictor of academic success than IQ. This finding underscores just how vital it is to identify and strengthen this...

Imagine going to the movies with your eyes closed. How much of the movie would you understand? How much of the storyline would you recall? Not much, and it probably wouldn't be very engaging. In fact, you may begin to focus on the smells and the sounds of people crunching on popcorn. Your thoughts might wander, and you could even fall asleep. Why Struggling Readers Disengage Many struggling readers have a similar experience when they open a book. They get little to no visuals in their mind's eye while reading, they report that it is difficult to maintain attention and...

There are many successful adults with learning disabilities, but what are the common traits that these people share? A 20-year research study by the Frostig Center in Pasadena, California answered this question and they identified 6 key attributes that contribute to success.  The Six Key Attributes to Success for Adults with Learning Disabilities: Self-Awareness: Understanding one's strengths and weaknesses is an important indicator of success because students can learn to utilize their strong abilities and, with the right support, deficits can be remediated. One of the best ways to define difficulties and talents is by pursuing a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation...

Many parents, teachers and administrators worry about whether academic accommodations offer an unfair advantage to some students. They are concerned that providing services such as extended time on tests, the use of a computer with a spell check, a reader or a copy of the teacher's notes provides an uneven playing field.  Fair Shouldn't be About All Students Getting the Same Thing: If all students came to the classroom with the same brains and experiences, offering them equivalent expectations and an identical curriculum would make sense. However, that is not even close to the truth. In fact, each student offers...