Postsecondary students with reading difficulties/disabilities: exploring coping strategies and learning techniques

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Date
2016-01-11Author
Somerville, Kristy
Type
ThesisDegree Level
MastersMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The purpose of the present study was to explore the coping strategies and learning techniques students with reading difficulties/disabilities (e.g., dyslexia) view as effective and commonly use to cope with the demands of postsecondary education. The present study employed a basic qualitative interpretive research design to discover and understand the perspectives and experiences of the students interviewed for this study (Merriam, 1998). Semi-structured interviews were utilized to provide insight into the experiences of these individuals. Analysis of the data generated from these interviews maintained a focus within the theory of resilience. There were three major themes that emerged from the interviews: (1) struggling to learn: recognizing the impact of learning difficulties and/or disabilities; (2) embracing the positives and negatives of a diagnosis; (3) surviving the learning experience: using coping strategies and learning techniques. Despite the adversities the participants within the current study faced, they all reported instances in which they were able to positively adapt and adjust in order to experience success and resilience in their lives. This study concluded with a discussion of the practical implications of the findings, the limitations and strengths of the study, and areas for future research.
Degree
Master of Education (M.Ed.)Department
Educational Psychology and Special EducationProgram
Educational Psychology and Special EducationSupervisor
McIntyre, LaureenCommittee
Hellsten-Bzovey, Laurie; Claypool, Tim; Wason-Ellam, LindaCopyright Date
December 2015Subject
reading
reading disability
dyslexia
learning disability
adult learners
postsecondary students
coping strategies
learning strategies