Learning is a process in which we interact with different things and people and through this we learn new things. Learning continues throughout the life of a human being. That's why it is said that LIFE means "Learning Is For Ever".
As we all consider that children learn more rapidly as compared to their elders. I used to play with my one year old son. He tries to do the same what I do in front of him. Through this way he has learnt many new things. I think we all see this in our lives. And you will also agree with me that "Not a single child is named as "weak student" or "slow learner" until and unless he is admitted in school". In other way we can say that "Every student can learn while he is not named as student".
Don't you think there is some thing wrong with our schooling system or teachers and their methodology?
The student who has been named as "slow learner" or "weak student", some times behaves like a sharp and active learner outside the classroom or school. E.g. while playing games, using computers, mobile phones and internet.
I have seen many illiterate persons operating mobile phones and such devices. No one taught them through lectures and black boards that "how to use mobile phones". I think same is the case of my son.
A slow learner can be a very fast learner. What we have to do is to change our methodology of teaching. We have to improve our teaching strategies. We should plan our lessons and use the idea of "multiple intelligences" in teaching-learning process.
Teachers are supposed only to provide environment, in which student can interact with things. This will help them to learn easily and with more interest. Teachers should work as facilitators to them. Provide some guidance to them only when they are going wrong. Teachers must not provide all the information themselves; Teachers should motivate students to "think" by putting some questions in front of them. Because learning without thinking is not possible. And it will not last longer in the minds of students.
I don't believe in the term "Slow learner". In my opinion if we apply some improved strategies then "Every student can learn".
Abu Sarim
