| Summary: | The role of Icelandic universities is, by law, the dissemination of knowledge and increasing the skills of students and society (lög um Háskóla nr. 63/2006). The number of students at the University of Iceland has increased steadily over the past few decades. In 1981, 4,413 students were enrolled, and in 2016 the number had risen to 12,921 (Hrafnhildur Snæfríðar- og Gunnarsdóttir et al., 2017). However, with the rise in student numbers, it is more likely that the student body will be more diverse, leaving the universities to face the challenge of meeting their needs. Studies have shown that university students who are experiencing problems with their studies, due to learning difficulties or personal issues, are facing various obstacles in formal examinations (Callens et al., 2012; Erskine & Seymour, 2005; Mortimore & Crozier, 2006; Simmons & Singleton, 2000). They stay longer at university, get lower grades and are at a higher risk of dropping out than other students. The educational barriers faced by students include, inter alia, struggling to read the subject matter, listening to the teacher and taking notes at the same time, drawing conclusions from demanding texts, writing academic texts, and preparing for examinations. Some students feel that they are not part of the student group because they use different learning methods and experience themselves as different (Mortimore & Crozier, 2006). In addition to the impact of learning difficulties in education, research shows that students who struggle with learning difficulties may also have more trouble integrating their studies with other challenging projects and tasks that are part of studying at university. Therefore, it is important for teachers to understand the complex situation (Arnett, 2016; Weimer, 2010). Hawk and Lyons (2008) point out how important it is that teachers care for these students, thus supporting their learning to enhance their skills and develop professional attitudes. Scholars have also emphasized the importance of ...
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