10-HI

Hearing impairment

Answers to the Guiding Questions

1. From the case, identify the problems which occurred in Miss Lim’s classroom and explain why they took place. Cite evidence from the case to support your answer. (6marks)

Class was not managed well

• students allowed free sitting, resulting in forming of undesirable groups that were noisy.
• students were "allowed" to create more incidents/ problems as teacher did not give firm stand. e.g. David and susan throwing papers at each other which later resulted into a worst scenerio, boys and girls crowd together in groups of their own.

students were not focus on task and distracted.

• teacher presentation was 30 minutes long
• teacher was not able to keep eye contact with student audience. students could not see her as she was constantly behind the computer terminal.
• group of boys generating noise and not focus on classwork even though teacher urged them to do it.

Keith, the hearing impaired student felt outcast. he

• was not able to follow lesson because teacher was not facing him when she was talking. e.g. presenting from behind the computer terminal; did not face students while speaking or giving instructions
• constantly hold fear of being bullied because of his hearing impairment
• feels classmates and teachers was not considerate enough.

2. What relevant classroom management strategies and models would you have adopted to prevent the problems discussed in 1 from taking place in your class? (7 marks)

I will set 4 simple but concise ground rules in a new class:

1. Adhere to all school rules

2. Respect one other

3. Raise your hand when you want to talk

4. No heads on the table at any time

I will also make sure that students do not move the desks and arrange Keith in the first row. If the temperature of the room is too cold, I will try to adjust the aircon instead of allowing students to sit by the door. I will ensure that all students can hear me and always face them in lessons. I will not allow heads on the tables per my ground rules. I will not ignore the incident of David throwing a note to Susan. I will make David stand and answer for his misbehavior. I will practice the logical consequences model but still treat every student with dignity. Depending on the contents of the note, I will punish David accordingly with either detention or referral to the school Discipline Master.

I will also follow a class routine such as keeping my attention on the students at all times and check that all students are able to follow the lessons.

3. At one point in the case study, it was stated that ‘Miss Lim looked at David and Susan ...’ What should Miss Lim have done to handle the situation? Give reasons for your answer and substantiate with the relevant classroom management strategies and models that you have learnt in this course. (7 marks)

The authoritative classroom management style should be used where the situation is judged fairly with reasons explained for every punishment.

Logical consequences model is also used to ensure that bad behaviour will be followed by punishment so that David will learn that he is wrong.

Firstly, the situation cannot be ignored. Miss Lim should take the initiative to find out what has really happened and decided what action should be taken.

1) She should first pick up the note that David had thrown to Susan and find out what is written on the note.

2) Since it is a serious matter as it seems to be related to sexual content, Miss Lim should talk to David and Susan individually and find out what had happened exactly. However, as it is in the midst of the lesson, Miss Lim should first reprimand David for his indecent behaviour and stop him from disturbing Susan at that moment. The matter should be further investigated after the lesson.

3) At the point of investigation with David, Ms Lim should make David explain his action and make him understand that he is wrong and his behaviour will result in punishment.

4) The punishment may be a referral to the DM or a detention. However, the punishment must be carried out to make sure that he realises his mistake and he will not do it again.

5) For Susan, Miss Lim should teach Susan how to manage her anger

6) Miss Lim should also teach Susan the proper way to handle such situation. For example, tell the teacher about what has happened instead of keeping quiet.

7) Miss Lim should also inform the parents of David about his unusal indecent behaviour in school as it is an serious offence. Counselling should be given to David if such incidents continue.

4. As a teacher, what are some signs displayed by a student that could indicate to you that he or she might have a hearing impairment? Does Keith display some of these characteristics? (3 marks)

Some of the signs that a student who may have hearing impairment are looking lost, confused and even afraid during class. Other symptom that displayed haring impairment is when a student has to constantly ask their classmates on what the teacher has just said in class.

For Keith, it is apparent that he had a hard time trying to figure out what his teacher, Ms Lim was saying in class. He looked both lost and confused and he was not able to keep silent as he could be asking his classmates on what Ms Lim had just told them.

5. What difficulties/problems did Keith experience? How might the difficulties/problems that Keith faced affect his development and learning in the short and long term? (6 marks)

Difficulties/Problem Keith faced

• Keith felt lonely and also believed that no one cared for him in the present environment
• Keith felt afraid. He did not feel that he is in a safe environment as he has seen his classmates playing pranks on others.
• Keith felt that he was different due to his FM system.
• Mrs Lim soft voice which was made worse by being blocked by the computer, makes it difficult for Keith to follow the lesson.

How will it affect his development and learning in the short and long term

• Short term: He will not be able to catch up in his studies and this will result in him failing his exams. He will become more withdrawn from his classmates
• Long term: His self-esteem will be lowered due to the negative reinforcement of failing his exams and also the long term effects of not being able to socialize well in an inclusive learning environment. There is a possibility that in the need to feel included in a group, Keith might join David and his gang in being misbehaved students.

6. Using the model for accommodating the needs of diverse learners as a guide,discuss how Miss Lim could better manage Keith’s case. What would you suggest Miss Lim do in terms of provisions/accommodations to meet Keith’s needs? Make recommendations only in areas that are appropriate and prioritise where necessary. (12 marks)

Miss Lim could always sit Keith nearer to her in the first row since she has a soft.

Reinforce the ground rule of respect for others and warn students of punishment for pranks.

Take special note of Keith's expressions during class to see if he is able to follow.

Follow up with Keith after lessons to see if he had any problems and this could be useful to reflect the learning of other students.