Understanding Dyslexia

 

By John Aguiar.

Remediana Dias is the author of the book—“Understanding Dyslexia”. She studied M.Sc in Specific Learning Difficulties at the University of Southampton, UK. She is the founder of the NGO—Vision Education Society in Goa. She was recently recognized as the Indian Achiever among the top 50 under 50 for her work in the field of education. 

Her most valuable school experiences weren't academic. The key points in her education that led to her success were all about people—social skills, respect, self-worth, empathy, and realizing your own potential. Because of teachers who believed in her, she also learned that she was capable of more than she thought. Long before differentiation was an education term, she was fortunate enough to have two teachers who gave her meaningful assignments that were different from the rest of the class. She was still responsible for the core material, but she could explore as well, at her own pace and on topics that interested her. Sure, she learned some neat ideas, but what she really learned was that she was valued as an individual. When she became a teacher, she remembered their example. She differentiates regularly so her students can learn that they, too, are valued as individuals.

Remediana feels that discipline is essential in establishing a classroom atmosphere conducive to learning. “Training is necessary for children. Effective discipline  enhances a child's self- esteem because it teaches self-control. Discipline means a way of being hardworking, honest, strictly following rules and regulations, social norms as well as values. Discipline makes students deal well with things. It is an ornament of the education system and student's life” she adds.

Remediana observes that things have changed a lot in our society nowadays. Back in her days very few kids had ADHD. “Today it is very common mainly because we prop kids in front of the TV or with video games when they are little. When they're in school, they cannot pay attention to what the teacher is doing up front.”she says. 

Accoring to her respect for education is the need of the hour. “Today kids idolize sports stars and entertainers and their lifestyles. And the lifestyle of the rich and famous are more important than a doctor or professor or scientist who uses intellect in order to achieve something. And this is not to say that no one in sports or entertainment is intellectual, but that's not the aspect of their lives that's emphasized. We need to reorient people in terms of what real success is all about.”she mentions.

Remediana feels that education in Goa should be reformed to create an informed citizenry.