Understanding the LSO Role

1. DIT Disability Support Service
Sylvia Mooney
September 2014
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2. Main aim
1. Learning support sessions –
assist students to use appropriate
academic skills to increase their
success in third level education.
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3. 2. Provide both individual and
group support in academic skills.
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4. Process:
◦ Each student is required to enrol
with the Disability Support Service
(DSS),
an Individual needs assessment is
recorded.
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5. After your Needs-Assessment, you
will be required to:
◦ attend a follow up meeting with your
Learning Support Officer during the
first term.
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6. To provide guidance on how to
develop and utilise your specific
learning strengths to help you study
more efficiently and independently
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7. To introduce you to effective
strategies and techniques which will
improve your individual learning
experience
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8. To enable students to:
◦ monitor their own learning and
become independent learners
◦ to participate in the full classroom
experience
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9.  Learning Support provides both individual and
group support in academic skills such as:
◦ Organisation and time management skills
◦ Note-taking skills
◦ Effective Reading Strategies
◦ Writing skills for third level
◦ Exam Strategies and revision skills
◦ Specialist tuition in Reading, Spelling and
Grammar
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10. It is not:
◦ A proofreading service
◦Not subject content focused
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11. Learning Support Officers:
◦Endeavour to meet students in a
timely manner
◦Follow policies and procedures of
the Disability Support Service
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12. The Learning Support Officers follow
AHEAD and DAWN guidelines in the
interest of best practice when
supporting students.
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13. Also:
Consider Assistive Technology to
support your learning
May collaborate with teaching staff to
enhance the student experience.
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14. Develop Training modules for Staff of
DIT:
◦ Disability awareness
◦ Inclusive teaching and learning
strategies
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15. Conclusion
Learning support is here to help you
develop as an independent learner
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16. To contact the relevant learning
support office please check your DSS
Student Handbook for details.
We look forward to meeting and
working with you during your time in
DIT.
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17. Questions?
Good luck in your studies!
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18.  Helen Carroll – Bolton Street. Contact:
helen.carroll@dit.ie
 Ursula Halpin – Aungier Street. Contact:
learningsupport.ast@dit.ie
 Geraldine McCorkell – Cathal Brugha Street &
Grangegorman. Contact: geraldine.mccorkell@dit.ie
 Sylvia Mooney - Kevin Street, Rathmines & BIMM.
Contact: sylvia.mooney@dit.ie
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