The Informer Page 6

November 9, 1988

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Issues in Working with Adults
with Learning Disabilities

In the last few years, many of us have come to
realize that some of our students who exhibit
severe but particular problems in class do so
because they suffer from one of a number of
learning disabilities. Not so many years ago, most
classroom faculty had never heard of dyslexia, let
alone dysgraphia, or dyscalculia. These terms are
complex, medical terms which are often misused;
the names don’t matter, but the hidden
disabilities they describe do matter. Many
intelligent students are prevented from doing as
well as they might because they suffer from these
very real disorders.

At Capilano, as elsewhere throughout the BC
system, members of the the “Adult Learning
Disabilities Facilitators Network,” work to
educate their colleagues about these learning
impediments and to assist student who face the
problem. In our college, Margot Rawsthorne
and Marty Wittman are “designated
facilitators.”

The Faculty Development Committee feels
that learning something about these students is
important to each of us as instructors—those in
the classrooms and those who meet students in
other contexts. Certainly instructors who must
deal with students’ written work or mathematical
comprehension should be aware of the clues which

REID

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT

GILBERT

identify students with learning disabilities and
all instructors need to recognize students with
reading problems. For this reason, we are
sponsoring a brief introductory seminar on
recognizing and assisting students with
learning disabilities. The seminar will be
held Wednesday, 16 November from 12:30 -
1:30 in H 501. All faculty are invited to broaden
their understanding of this serious challenge to
effective teaching. Coffee will be served.

As well, a conference on this subject is being
held Thursday and Friday, 1-2 December, 1988
at the Seattle Airport Hilton Hotel, Seattle
Washington, sponsored by a number of
Washington colleges and agencies. For
additional information call 206-878-9759 (by 18
November to register). The cost is US $95.00.

Coordinators and Chairpeople may also
be interested in the 6th Annual Conference of
Academic Chairpersons (called, this year:
Evaluating Faculty, Students and Programs) to
be held 15-17 February, 1989 in Orlando,
Florida. Over fifty papers will be read. For
information contact Colleen A. Morgan, Kansas
State University, 1623 Anderson Ave.,
Manhattan, KS, 66502-4098.

The spring programme of Faculty
Development workshops and grants is moving
toward completion. Watch soon for a brochure
outlining grant opportunities.

$7,800 raised to date
United Way Report

by Lynne Hamilton

United Way thanks I’m sending you
for pledges received to date
the numbers you see
are the dollars received
as of 11/02/88
$7,800

Congratulations to our United Way “Pledge Card
Winners”.

Mike Cairns (ABE) — three days and two nights at the
Crystal Lodge resort in Whistler.

Richard Longworth (Business Management) — a
computer back-saver chair.

Joy Smith (Extension) — pottery donated by Donna
McLaren.

Iris Cunningham (Financial Services) — Vancouver
Entertainment ’89 book.

John Wilson (Business Management) — Parking spot,
north campus.

Claire Mincin (student, Media Production) — parking
spot, south campus.

Has your pledge card found its way to the “round tuit”
file? Would you like another? There is still time to send
in your donation. Final campaign dollars for our campus
donations will be reported to the United way on
November 9. Contact Lynne Hamilton at 2945.

Slowpitch Match

Cam Williams (Dynamics Lab) has just completed
editing the video of the “Cap Good Guys vs Danger Bay
Wailers Game. If you or your department would like to
view your colleagues in action, come to Pub Time in
H402 between 4 and 6 p.m., Wednesday, November 9.