I have many AHA! moments, but as we conclude the class I realize that learning disabilities are not deficits in intelligence, but differences in how the brain processes information, emotions, and the environment. Each session revealed a distinct layer of challenges. Dyslexia opened my eyes to how reading difficulties can profoundly affect self-esteem and engagement. Dyscalculia and dysgraphia showed how basic academic skills can become daily hurdles, not due to laziness, but neurological wiring. ADHD challenged my own biases as I now see how impulsivity and inattention are misunderstood symptoms of a deeper neurodevelopmental condition. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) reminded me that communication, behaviour, and social interaction are not universal experiences and inclusion demands adaptability from educators. Visual-perceptual/motor deficits taught me how important sensory processing and motor integration are to foundational learning. And lastly, understanding social, emotional, and behavioural challenges reminded me that learning cannot be separated from the emotional safety and acceptance students experience in the classroom.

Coming from a different background(music), learning disability class made a huge impact in my journey as a teacher, the valuable sharings is something that I will always treasure and try to apply as much in my daily teaching practice. More than just learning theories which probably I can read, what made this learning journey enjoyable and very insightful was the shared stories and group reports and group discussions from my classmates and Professor Liz. The real-life examples and reflections added authenticity to each session.

Hearing about their encounters with students, and unique experiences, the strategies they used in their classes and the empathy and accomodations they carry into their practice has been my key takeaway.

My overall insight from this class is: Effective support begins with understanding. Labels and symptoms are just the starting points and true inclusion requires us to look beyond this. We should recognize each students’ strengths and weaknesses and tailor environments that help diverse learners maximize their true potential not based on their disabilities. My sincerest gratitude to Dr.Liz for her dedication and relentless sharing of her insights and my cool classmates for their contributions and collaborative spirit🙏

Reply: You are most welcome. Glad you have had a good learning experience

I'm thoroughly grateful for the opportunity to be in Dr Liz's class, as her passion really translates into engaging lessons where learning takes place even in the simplest of activities. I would also like to show appreciation to the course mates for being a fun and encouraging bunch. Thank you also, Dr Liz, for all the food and snacks you provided for us. It was a wonderful learning experience for me, truly made my last semester an enjoyable one. Thank you so much! 🥹

Reply: You are most welcome. Glad you have had a good learning experience

The delivery and teaching methods employed in this module were uniquely refreshing and impactful. I am deeply grateful for the support of my coursemates, the thoughtfully designed curriculum, and, above all, the guidance of Dr. Liz. Her expertise and dedication not only enhanced my understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with special needs but also inspired me profoundly.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Liz for her invaluable insights and unwavering commitment to sharing her knowledge with us.

Reply: You are most welcome. Glad you have had a good learning experience.

Dr. Liz has consistently encouraged us to think critically and reflectively about the struggles students experience in this module, which has helped me develop greater empathy, not only toward learners but also toward the people around me. I remain thankful and deeply appreciative for the opportunity to learn under her guidance.

Reply: You are most welcome. Glad you have had a good learning experience

Thank you to Dr Liz for the resources that you have uploaded and also facilitating the discussions and aha moments. Thank you too for taking time to share some insights with us. I especially enjoyed the hands on activity where we get to experience how it is like for someone with dyscalculia and ADHD.

Thank you too for taking time and effort to order food for us. The yummy food kept our tummy happy! Cheers!

Reply: You are most welcome. Glad you have had a good learning experience

Dr Liz, thank you for planning a variety of activities to keep us on our toes and stay as busy as bees while we learn about the many learning disabilities that have been around for so long that it is, frankly, quite amazing that we have been blind to them all these while.

I have taken note of some of the activities we did in class so that I can utilise them in my own classroom with my students as well. Haha!

There were definitely plenty of takeaways from all the sessions but I think the most important one is about patience and empathy. Regardless of the learning disabilities a child might have, it is vital that we stay patient and show empathy to get to understand the child better as an educator. THEN, we can talk about the various interventions which we can use to engage the child or help the child develop even more positively.

I am also humbled by the hard work of my course mates who shared about their work with me. Everybody has been very kind and helpful so I hope to see some of them again in the next semester. Thank you very much, fellow classmates!

Thank you for the lovely cakes and delicious food too, Dr Liz. We have been so well-fed that we look forward to each F2F session every time, even though we might be feeling tired or something. Your food helped to fuel our passion to learn as well!

Reply: You are most welcome. Glad you have had a good learning experience!

Reply: You are most welcome. Glad you have had a good learning experience

As Dr. Liz often mentions, while the theories and slides are available for us to read, it’s the sharing and discussions with our peers that truly enrich the learning experience.

I've gained so much from my peers' presentations and insights. This journey has been incredibly rewarding, as we've not only deepened our theoretical knowledge of various learning disabilities but also benefited from the valuable takeaways shared by our classmates.

A heartfelt thank you to my fellow 911 classmates and Dr. Liz for making this learning experience so enriching and memorable!

Reply: You are most welcome. Glad you have had a good learning experience

1) Been through DISE 14 years ago, I thought this module would be a dry one. However, it was something else. Firstly, this is the first time I have Dr Liz as my lecturer. Secondly, unlike DISE whom are fellow SENOs in training, my current course mates are from different area of expertise. Therefore, they have many experience and different perspectives in their own area of field. I learnt a lot from them too. Dr Liz gave a different style of teaching which I can inculcate in my lesson with my students. Oh, the food really energise me after a long day at school! Her energy, positive words of encouragement and constructive feedback is something that I look forward to, every time I went for her lecture.

2) The content of the lecture. There is always something new to learn, relearn and unlearn on the different types of learning disabilities. The thought provoking questions, the reading articles and videos are refreshing and enriching. There were instances I had to move away from my comfort zone (my 3 reliable groupmates), and work with the other Experts from different groups. That style of discussion is definitely a takeaway; being separately temporarily but then still come back to your original group to share. Love that!

Dr Liz, thank you so much for imparting your knowledge to us! This Master programme is a journey which your module is one of the memorable stop-overs I made to take many pictures of the beautiful scenery.

Reply: You are most welcome. Glad you have had a good learning experience

From this module, I learnt the most about the other learning disabilities such as Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, how they are managed and the different available adaptions, be it low or high tech used beyond the early years in the mainstream primary and secondary schools. This has been very helpful in my work with children of milder needs and has also made me think about how to apply the knowledge learnt to my workplace, with the purpose of empowering my fellow colleagues in the near future.

Reply: You are most welcome. Glad you have had a good learning experience

One aspect I’ve especially appreciated is the emphasis on group discussions. I feel that I learn best in these moments—when we’re not just absorbing information passively but actively exchanging perspectives with our peers. There’s a real sense of community in our TG, and Dr Liz makes a deliberate effort to ensure we interact with different classmates each week. This constant reshuffling not only keeps things interesting and forces us out of our comfort zone but also exposes us to a broader range of insights and experiences, which I’ve found incredibly valuable.

What stood out the most for me, though, are the lessons where Dr Liz helps us step into the shoes of individuals with ADHD, ASD, or dyslexia. Through vivid examples and simulations, she doesn’t just teach us about the conditions—she helps us feel what it might be like to live with them. Those moments have been especially impactful, deepening both my understanding and empathy in a way that no textbook ever could.

Reply: You are most welcome. Glad you have had a good learning experience

Thank you Dr Liz for your dedication and time in teaching us and the fruitful consultations. Thank you for feeding us during the face-to-face sessions as well. Really appreciate your kind gestures!

Reply: You are most welcome. Glad you have had a good learning experience

Thank you, Dr Liz, for your clear guidance and engaging lessons that made complex concepts both accessible and applicable. Your efforts to create a collaborative learning environment—where we could share experiences and learn from one another—greatly reduced the burden of heavy readings and kept us engaged throughout. Your passion and expertise have truly inspired me to better support learners with diverse needs.

Lastly, thank you so much for all the snacks and treats! Night classes can be tiring, but those thoughtful gestures definitely kept our energy up.

Reply: You are most welcome. Glad you have had a good learning experience.

Other than the content, the module introduced me to different models of flipped classrooms. I appreciated the opportunity to become an expert in selected readings/ areas of focus, and it was a joy to learn from everyone in class.

I particularly enjoyed the readings curated by Dr Liz. Although sometimes the amount of readings can get overwhelming, the breadth and depth of the readings significantly enriched my learning and inspired me to explore more.

As an educator, it’s important to maintain a passion for learning, as our own growth impacts the way we support our students. This module has further encouraged me to remain open, curious, and committed to grow my skills and knowledge. Learning never ends!

I particularly enjoyed the small group discussions and group work. It allowed for knowledge-building with people from various backgrounds and it feels like a safe space only because I know that Dr Liz is there to guide us if we are mistaken about something.

I am absolutely grateful for the ideas that I heard and read from my classmates. This is thanks to the activities that Dr Liz incorporates into the sessions. I feel like I'm progressing and developing in my journey as an SEN officer and this module makes the progress feel enjoyable. It is the challenge in trying to write something weekly about the sessions that makes internalizing it easy and makes thought of the subject more purposeful.

To me, this entire module under the curation of Dr Liz, is one of the most valuable and impactful modules that I have ever taken. Not just for the content of the subject matter that we discuss weekly, but for the methodology of teaching and learning that takes place in the sessions.

If I had to choose a session that is most impactful for me, then I would not be able to narrow it down to just one. Every session was a rewarding experience and each one made me level-up.

Thank you for the delicious food that you always bring in for us. It feels so good to get a bite as I listen and make mental connections to my experiences at work.

Lastly, from the depths of my heart, thank you for all that you have done for us, Dr Liz.

Secondly, the range of disabilities covered in just under 10 weeks was presented in a concise and effective manner. The delivery of the content was impactful, and while I may still have questions, I now feel empowered to seek out the knowledge I need. I must say, I no longer feel helpless.

Thirdly, I must say that Dr. Liz has truly opened my eyes and challenged me to reflect deeply during the various sessions—pushing me to confront my own stereotypes and biases, and to genuinely step into the shoes of someone with a disability.

Beyond the knowledge gained, I believe I’ve grown holistically—in head, heart, and hands. I now carry more understanding in my mind, greater empathy and love for my students with disabilities in my heart, and a renewed drive in my hands—to advocate for inclusion within my school!

Last but certainly not least, a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Liz and my amazing group mates for all the wonderful memories we've created during this journey! May our paths cross again one day!

Every lesson was engaging and informative, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by students with respective learning disabilities. Dr Liz's approach was particularly effective, using real-life examples and interactive discussions to illustrate key concepts. This helps to create conversation going and contribution from everyone to share our experiences whether it was a successful or challenges faced. This made the learning more relatable and easier to understand.

Additionally, I would like to thank everyone for contributing to a high level of engagement throughout the module. Indeed it was a valuable learning experience that significantly enhanced my understanding on the module and the importance of inclusive teaching practices.

Thank you to Dr Liz for the treats during our f2f session. See you soon if given another opportunity.

Thank you to Dr Liz for the articles and resources - very grateful that you have done the heavy-lifting and most time-consuming part for us. The information has proven to be very useful to learn in depth about disabilities. Even as I speak, I am happy to report that some articles are already being used in my work. These resources will be useful in the long term.

Thank you for a very impactful module!

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for such a meaningful and enriching experience throughout this module. I truly looked forward to every session, not just because of the delightful Friday treats (which were a wonderful bonus!), but because of the engaging and effective way the content was delivered. Learning about the various types of disabilities in such an interactive and thoughtful manner, especially through group discussions, pair work, and multimedia resources, made the learning journey both enjoyable and impactful.

As someone who tends to be more reserved, I often find it challenging to speak up and share my thoughts. However, this module has gently nudged me out of my comfort zone. I found myself gaining the confidence to contribute during discussions and connect with colleagues from different backgrounds. It has been incredibly rewarding to exchange perspectives in such a supportive environment, and I now feel more empowered and articulate in sharing my views.

This experience has truly reminded me of the importance of lifelong learning as an educator. It has deepened my understanding and broadened my mindset, especially in relation to supporting students with special needs. I am inspired to approach my teaching with greater empathy, openness, and flexibility. Thank you once again for creating such a positive and inclusive space for growth, both in our face-to-face and Zoom sessions.