Analysis of teaching strategies used with pupils perceived as having learning difficulties : a case study approach

Abstract

This study focuses on the teachers' diagnosis of pupils perceived as having learning difficulties and the strategies teachers used and are using in meeting the pupils' needs. This research is built on 4 case studies. The following questions are analysed: • How is the child perceived? • Is the teacher aware of the child's needs? • Are the teachers adapting their teaching strategies to meet the child's needs? How are they adapting? • How effective are these teaching strategies? With the aid of the Learning Combination Inventory, the researchers analysed the teachers' and pupils' combination of learning patterns and the use of these patterns in class. Through the use of unstructured interviews, questionnaires and a series of observation sessions, the researchers studied the teachers' teaching strategies and the pupils' reaction to these strategies. It was found that although teachers are aware of the children's learning problems they may not cater appropriately for the children's needs.