A person with a learning disability usually has average or above average intelligence, but has difficulty taking in, remembering, or expressing information. Learning disabilities can involve visual processing speed, short-term memory processing, fluid reasoning, and long-term memory retrieval. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual and occur across the life span. Improved special education in elementary and secondary schools has led to a substantial increase in the enrollment of learning disabled students in universities and community colleges. In a 1991 report, as many as 9% of first-time, full-time college freshmen reported having at least one learning disability, representing a 300% increase since 1978. Addressing the needs of this growing, non-traditional population requires teachers to reconsider traditional instructional formats. In mathematics instruction, research indicates that the lecture method is not particularly effective. Additionally, research has shown that computer assisted instruction (CAI) increases the levels of mathematics learning for low-achieving student, and shows some promise in meeting the needs of students with mild learning problems. In addition to CAI, cooperative learning approaches, in which students teach one another, may help to dislodge the traditional lecture method and help make remedial courses more effective. Tutors should be adept at integrating computers into the tutoring experience, and should be trained to deal effectively with special populations, such as the learning disabled. Contains 15 references and sample computer-oriented math problems are included. (PAA)