Practitioners noted that they found a range of computer software programs. Items mentioned consisted of computers with good word processors, language and math programs, such as “Success Maker Software” and the “Columbia Curriculum Corporation Computer Program for Reading and Math.”
We also wanted to know the level of interest for learning more about available assistive technologies.
The purpose of this section was to determine what type of training practitioners believe would be helpful for assisting adults with learning disabilities to successfully complete their learning goals. We felt practitioners would have a clear vision of the type of training that would be most beneficial for themselves, tutors and learners to promote successful learning experiences.
We asked practitioners if they or their tutors had received training to recognize learners with learning disabilities.
Practitioners were asked about the types of screening/assessment training anyone in their program has previously received for screening/assessment of learning disabilities. Previous formal training in this area was limited to 3 of 38, or 7%, of respondents. Two of these respondents indicated university training and the other reported completing a special education degree and formal diagnostic training in administration of the Woodcock Johnson standardized test for identifying learning disabilities.
Workshops were the most common source of information about learning disabilities and how to recognize students at risk for learning disabilities. The highest proportion of practitioners mentioned the Screening for Success workshop offered by the Learning Disabilities Association Manitoba. This workshop was offered just prior to the distribution of our survey. The next most commonly mentioned workshop identified was First Nations Students with FAS/FAE, however the respondents indicated, “this workshop skimmed over some assessment and (covered) strategies to a limited degree”. A few practitioners referred to a workshop sponsored by Adult Learning and Literacy called Learning Differently-An Introduction to Learning Disabilities and Adult Literacy.