Abstract: |
Introduction
The problem of learning disabilities is a world problem that is not limited to
childhood or the school side, but extends to the next life of the individual, Learning
disabilities are represented in the existence of a discrepancy between the student's
expected performance according to his mental abilities (average intelligence level or
more) and his actual performance as expressed in achievement tests in one or more
subjects, Science learning disabilities are among the academic learning disabilities
that have not received sufficient attention compared to other academic disabilities
such as reading, writing and mathematics, although many students find it difficult to
learn science, and this difficulty increases in the case of students with learning
disabilities, we also find that science learning disabilities are among academic
learning disabilities that impede students’s learning and academic performance, not
only in science, but in other subjects, Science is one of the most important subjects
for students with learning disabilities; where many studies indicated that science
helps in integrating these students into the educational process by encouraging them
to participate in various educational activities that depend on the use of materials
from the environment and appropriate laboratory tools.
Differentiated instruction is one of the educational strategies for remedial
instruction that has proven effective in learning students with learning disabilitie, it
is a student-centered educational strategy; where each student is taught according to
his individual needs, abilities, past experiences, interests and learning preferences
and this includes take advantage his strengths, which helps to reduce the
Summary
2
shortcomings that he suffer from it, we find that many studies have confirmed the
low academic achievement and level of performance of students with learning
disabilities in Prep – School compared to their normal peers in the subject of science,
such as the study of Barabasz (2018), McGrath & Hughes (2018), and Kaldenberg
et al (2015), and studies have also indicated the effectiveness of differentiated
instruction in learning science curricula to students with learning disabilities in
different educational stages, including Prep–School, such as the study of
Liverman(2014), Simpkin et al (2009), Olsen (2007), so this study sought to study
the effectiveness of the differentiated instruction strategy on reducing science
learning disabilities in first preparatory stage students.
Problem
The problem of the study is represented in the following main question :
“What the effectiveness of differentiated instruction strategy on reducing science
learning disabilities in first preparatory stage students?”, and there are some
questions derived from this main question:
1 – Are there statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the
experimental and control groups in post test of the symptoms of science learning
disabilities, in favour of experimental group (in the best direction)?.
2 – Are there statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the
experimental group in pre and post test of the symptoms of science learning
disabilities, in favour of the post test (in the best direction)?.
3 – Are there statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the
experimental group in the post and follow up test (after two months) of the symptoms
of science learning disabilities?.
Aims
The study aims to reduce science learning disabilities in first preparatory stage
students through the preparation and application of a remedial program based on
Summary
3
differentiated instruction strategy, and testing the effectiveness of the program and
the extent of its impact during the follow-up period.
Importance
Reducing science learning disabilities in first preparatory stage students
through remedial instruction program using differentiated instruction strategy.
Terminology
1 – Learning Disabilities (LD)
2 – Science Disabilities
3 – Differentiated Instruction
4 – Effectiveness
5 – Remedial Program
Participants
This study has been carried on a sample (14) student from science
learning disabilities students in first preparatory stage, with average (12,7) year,
and standard deviation (0.83). They were divided into two matched groups;
experimental (n=7), and control (n=7), and the sessions of the treatment program
used in the study were applied to the students of the experimental group, and the
number of sessions reached (32) sessions, and the application took two months,
with four sessions per week.
Tools
1 – Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale – fifth edition – (arabization of Safwat Farag,
2010).
2 – Achievements tests in science for first preparatory stage
3 – Quick Neurological Screening Test (QNST) (prepared by Margaret Moti et al,
arabization of Mostafa Kamel, 2007).
Summary
4
4 – Diagnostic Scale for symptoms of science learning disabilities in first preparatory
stage students (prepared by Prof.Dr. Adel Abdulla, Alshimaa Abdeldaim).
5 – Remedial Instruction Program using differentiated Instruction Strategy (prepared
by Prof.Dr. Adel Abdulla, Alshimaa Abdeldaim).
Statistical Techniques
The researcher used some statistical methods to process the data and test the
validity of the hypotheses, which were as follows:
1 – Mann – Whitney test.
2 – Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test.
3 – Z value.
Results
1 – There are statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the
experimental and control groups in post test of the symptoms of science learning
disabilities (dimensions, the total score) in favour of experimental group (in the best
direction).
2 – There are statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the
experimental group in pre and post test of the symptoms of science learning
disabilities (dimensions, the total score) in favour of the post test (in the best
direction).
3 – There are no statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the
experimental group in the post and follow up test (after one month) of the symptoms
of science learning disabilities (dimensions, the total score).
|
|
|