ABSTRACT
The focus of this chapter is on how we can work effectively with students who face challenges which impede their progress in learning. Rather than suggesting that separate plans have to be made, we investigate the process of adaptive teaching and learning – what it is and how it can become part of the planning process. Teaching ‘special’ or additional needs students who have support needs for communication, cognition, behavioural or sensory difficulties is discussed. In addition to supporting those with overt needs, ways of planning support for learners with covert or short-term needs, anxiety or depression for example, through the 4Ps (perspective, patience, persistence and practice) are also considered. The use of IT to support learning has become a hot topic in recent years, and we include in this chapter different ways in which this can be incorporated into planning for adaptive learning. The final part of the chapter looks at the need for teachers to network with others to support learners and importance of working co-operatively with support staff to scaffold learning is discussed ways of using support staff are investigated.
