Good Sensory Learning Blog

Strong reading comprehension is a key to academic success, and one of the most essential skills within that process is the ability to identify main ideas and supporting details. When students master this skill, they gain a powerful tool for learning, organizing information, speaking with clarity, and writing with purpose. The Power of Main Ideas and Details in Learning Main ideas and details provide a structured framework that helps students make sense of information. This skill enhances learning in meaningful ways: Improves Reading Comprehension: Students learn to quickly determine what a text is mostly about and identify the key details that...

Many know of the four common ways of learning: visual, auditory, tactile and kinesthetic. But did you know that students need to be exposed to even more ways of processing information too? Going multisensory is essential these days and presenting instruction that teaches to all 12 ways of processing, as described in the Student Processing Approach, can help prepare your students for a successful future of life long learning. The other 8 ways of learning include: 1) Sequential Learning: teach students how to order information alphabetically or numerically. Teach with timelines, successive instructions, outlines, and keep materials organized.2) Simultaneous Learning:...

Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects written language: spelling, capturing ideas on paper, visual-spatial skills, and fine motor skills such as handwriting. Different terms are used to describe these difficulties. In fact, the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) doesn’t use the term dysgraphia but uses the phrase “an impairment in written expression” which is under the category of “specific learning disorder.” What are the Signs of Dysgraphia or Impairment in Written Expression? Handwriting is Messy or illegible  Covered in cross-outs and erased text Burdened with improper spacing between letters and words Hindered with oversized...

Audiobooks are wonderful learning options that make reading accessible to students with a variety of learning preferences as well as disabilities.  For some time, they have been available at a cost on sites like Audible.com where books are read by actors or authors.  However, they are often a costly choice that many can not afford.   Luckily, free options on sites like Project Gutenberg and others are wonderful, but sadly they only offer audiobooks that are in the public domain.  What about individuals with visual impairments, physical disabilities and learning disabilities that impact reading? Are there any options for this population of learners?   Audiobooks for Individuals...

Wouldn't it be great if a teacher's actions triggered neurotransmitters in the brains of their students that improved attention, motivation, and learning at large?  Many would say that this idea sounds like a science fiction novel, but, in fact,  it's not far from the truth.  What Role do Neurotransmitters Have in the Learning Process? Countless chemical messengers called neurotransmitters are perpetually maintaining our brain's functions and regulating our breath and heartbeat. They even manage our attention and ability to learn. In addition, they also impact a wide variety of emotions including fear, happiness, and boredom. One neurotransmitter, in particular, offers...