How to Improve Slow Processing Speed in the Classroom

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Children with slow processing speed often struggle to keep up with their peers in school. Teachers are often overwhelmed and frustrated by these students, as not all kids with slow processing speed have a clear diagnosis. They appear capable but often struggle to keep up with the pace of classroom instruction. As a result, they may appear confused, unable to follow directions, and frequently have difficulty completing written assignments in the allotted time. These students are often the last to complete tests or quizzes and may receive lower grades due to incomplete work. Beyond academic work, slow processors may be the last to get ready to go for lunch or need to rush out of the classroom to catch their bus at the end of the school day.

Slow processing speed can manifest in various ways, including fine motor speed, where kids show a weakness in copying tasks, tasks that require replicating information or rewriting words or numbers, or completing tasks involving manual dexterity. Slow processing may also be seen in visual and verbal processing, often accompanied by attention problems (Cook et al., 2017). Additionally, many kids with slow processing speed struggle with executive functioning skills, such as task initiation and task persistence, further exacerbating their challenges.

The impact of slow processing speed often leads to low self-esteem, as children may feel "stupid" or "dumb," developing a negative self-image as "bad" students. Teachers can inadvertently reinforce this narrative by misidentifying slow processing speed as laziness, lack of motivation, or lack of effort. Many kids with slow processing speed are trying very hard but just can't keep up with the pace of work.

The most common approach to helping students with slow processing speed is to provide them with additional time for classroom activities. Accommodations are often crucial for these students to succeed and display their abilities and knowledge. However, they are inconsistently utilized by teachers and may not be available in the real world. Fortunately, there are many classroom technologies and strategies to improve slow processing speed.

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Identifying Effective Video Games and Apps

A common misconception about video games is that they are purely a source of entertainment with little educational value. In reality, video games can be powerful tools for learning, offering children engaging and interactive environments that promote various educational skills. Many video games require players to plan, organize, and manage resources, which can enhance executive functioning skills such as task initiation, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Additionally, the fast-paced nature of many games can help improve processing speed, as players must quickly interpret visual and auditory information to make split-second decisions (Dye et al., 2009). By engaging in these dynamic and challenging activities, children learn to set goals, prioritize tasks, and adapt to new information or changing circumstances. These experiences can help improve their ability to focus, make decisions, and solve problems effectively, skills that are crucial both in academic settings and everyday life.

To identify games and apps that can aid in improving processing speed, look for the following features:

1. Interactive and Engaging: Choose apps that keep children engaged through interactive content and immediate feedback. Research supports the use of selected video games to modestly improve processing speed in kids, with even more compelling evidence for their benefits in older adults (Lee et al., 2024).
2. Skill-Specific: Opt for games that target specific cognitive skills such as attention, memory, and speed of processing.
3. Personalized Progress: Select tools that adjust difficulty based on the child’s progress to ensure consistent challenge and growth.
4. Evidence-Based: Look for technologies backed by research or recommended by educational experts for cognitive improvement.

Strategies and Technologies for the Classroom

Understanding slow processing speed is crucial for teachers to effectively support students struggling with this challenge. When teachers recognize the signs of slow processing speed, they can implement accommodations that help level the playing field for these students. By tailoring their approach, teachers can foster a more inclusive classroom environment that acknowledges individual learning needs, ultimately helping students with slow processing speed to achieve their full potential and build confidence in their abilities.

These classroom accommodations may be beneficial:

1. Subtle Extra Time: Provide more time for tests and assignments without drawing attention to it. This helps reduce stress and boosts confidence.
2. Consistent Practice: Use the same materials and instructions regularly to allow children with slow processing speeds to become familiar with tasks, thereby increasing their speed over time. Familiarity breeds speed.
3. Simplify Tasks: Reduce the number of tasks and provide private instructions to alleviate frustration and enhance self-esteem.
4. Clear Overviews: Start lessons with a clear overview, using pre-teaching techniques and visual organizers to help students grasp the big picture and set personal goals.
5. Encourage Extra Support: Offer tutoring and additional academic support for students who are falling behind to help them catch up quickly.

How to leverage technology in the classroom:

1. Make Technology Accessible and Functional: Teach children with slow processing speed how to most effectively use classroom technologies. For example, ensure that kids with slow processing speed become efficient typists trained to take notes on their computers (van Weerdenburg et al., 2019).
2. Access to Resources: Permit students to keep a second set of textbooks or ebook versions of their texts and access classroom resources online at home to lessen the time needed to gather materials for homework. Share homework, projects, and lessons electronically with parents.
3. Utilize Notes and Models: Provide lecture notes and completed assignment models to the student to reduce writing and memory demands through note-taking. This could be done through physical handouts or access to notes and lessons virtually through their tablet or computer.
4. Practice Makes Perfect: Find reading apps and games students love using. By getting them to read more, they will improve their skills and become more fluent.
5. Teach Typing and Dictation: Encourage the development of typing skills and practice dictation exercises. Play a short recording or speak aloud for a few minutes, then have students transcribe what they hear into an online notepad or word processor.

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The Role of Technology in Enhancing Learning

Assistive technology tools can be transformative for students who process information slowly. The students must be included in the rationale for using these tools and become experts with the technologies. These tools offer personalized support and reduce cognitive overload, allowing these learners to access information and express themselves more effectively. For example, speech-to-text software and digital note-taking apps ease the burden of writing and note-taking. Visual and interactive learning platforms break down complex concepts into manageable chunks, making learning more engaging and accessible. Time management apps empower students to organize their tasks and develop crucial executive functioning skills.

Furthermore, mastery with typing tutors and dictation software can significantly improve writing speed and fluency. Finally, there are also tools created to enhance reading speed and comprehension by visually guiding the eyes through text (Schiavo et al., 2021). By strategically integrating these and other assistive technologies, educators can create a supportive and empowering learning environment tailored to the unique needs of each student with slow processing speed.

Most importantly, parents and educators can recognize how technologies can help children with slow processing speed. Consider how many kids with poor vision would fail at school if they could not use basic technologies, such as a pair of glasses. In the 2020s, we have access to tools that can help kids with slow processing speed go faster, learn more efficiently, and feel better about themselves.