Teaching Diverse Students – The competent teacher understands the diverse characteristics and abilities of each student and how individuals develop and learn within the context of their social, economic, cultural, linguistic, and academic experiences. The teacher uses these experiences to create instructional opportunities that maximize student learning.

This artifact was created during the fall of the 2019 semester. It was made for the purpose to inform the class and myself on a specific disability called Dyscalculia. Through the Powerpoint and handout, the class was able to broaden their understanding of what Dyscalculia is and how it affects students within the classroom, in particular, the area of mathematics. The artifact contains examples of accommodations and modifications for students with Dyscalculia. Included was information on recognizing the symptoms of a student who might have Dyscalculia and the steps a teacher would need to take to get the student the help they may need.

The importance of the artifact is to educate and gain more knowledge and understanding of the specific disability, Dyscalculia. It shows that the standard was understood by the construction of the Powerpoint and its broader education on the definition, link, and examples. When it is aligned to the standard it shows specific examples of Dyscalculia in an easy-to-understand format pertaining to students' understanding of the specific learning disability. “The teacher uses these experiences to create instructional opportunities that maximize student learning” (IPTS). The teacher uses this understanding to create context and lessons with a specific disability in mind.

Throughout the process of creating this artifact, I was able to learn through many steps of the process. From developing a clear understanding of the disability of dyscalculia. Researching statistics on the population that is affected by dyscalculia. Signs and symptoms of students that might have dyscalculia and making the diagnosis of dyscalculia is a very hard diagnosis to determine. Continuing to grow as a candidate constructing this artifact was enriching and allowed for growth not only for me but to the class I was able to present to. Continuing to recognize that a classroom is made up of a wide range of students. From that broad range of students, all learn in their own way though there will be overlap for some. Learning about dyscalculia allowed me to expand on teaching strategies to implement within the classroom for students that might struggle in mathematics.

Click Here To view my presentation on Dyscalculia

Click Here To view the Dyscalculia handout

Click Here To view my paper on Accommodations & Modifications

Click Here To view my Characteristics and Causes of Recognizing Mathematical Disabilities paper