ICT Resources & Supports: National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) & Department of Education and Science (DES)

Issues for the SEN/LS teacher Matching technology with students Training in ICT and SEN Choosing hardware/assistive technology Getting funding for ICT & purchasing Choosing software tools Choosing or creating appropriate digital content Using software/ICT in the classroom Getting support/helping yourself NCTE is a source of support in most of these areas, as follows:

NCTE/DES Technology Support Grants for ICT use in special needs, issued by DES (without application) to the school DES funds for individual special needs students (application-based) Laptops for visiting teachers Providing special needs advice e.g., through booklets, NCTE website, etc.

Grants for Individual Students with Special Needs Primary Application-based procedure for individual students with specific assistive technology needs Schools apply to the Special Educational Needs Organiser with assigned responsibility for the school. See NCSE website for SENO contact details . . . www.ncse.ie .

Grants for Individual Students with Special Needs Post-Primary Application-based procedure for individual students with specific assistive technology needs. Schools apply to the SENO with assigned responsibility for the school. The eligibility criteria, application form and procedure under the terms of Memo 14/05, all available on  www.education.ie - choose “Children with Special Needs”, then view file Circular M14/05.

NCTE Software Support Software evaluation activity involves special needs teachers/titles see NCTE website/ Software Central (www.softwarecentral.ie) Guide to software evaluation published Funds software library in education centres Contact local ICT advisor for access Some peripherals/assistive technology for special needs also available in these libraries Talks/demos arranged in education centres

NCTE SEN/ICT Training Training starts with basic training: introductory phases 1 and 2. ICT and special needs courses: The Basics Learning Support Mild General Learning Disabilities Moderate, Severe/Profound General Learning Disabilities and Multiple Disabilities Deaf/Hard of Hearing Visual impairment Autistic Spectrum Disorders Courses in various technology skills, e.g., the Internet, and in using ICT in the curriculum Support groups through education centres

Using ICT in the classroom: Supporting projects looking at use of specific technologies/software different uses of ICT with students with special needs, e.g., Laptops Initiative See NCTE website and SIP website for project information (www.ncte.ie); (www.sip.ie) Working with NCCA on development of curricular guidelines & exemplars for ICT Working with DES and others to provide digital information and content

NCTE: Internet content and support Scoilnet: Irish education portal Curriculum resources and weblinks (not only on ICT) Special needs section www.scoilnet.ie NCTE website: Info and advice on ICT Special needs technology section www.ncte.ie Developing digital content Promoting internet safety

Other NCTE SEN activities Working with European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education See case studies on www.senist.net See also www.european-agency.org Identifying support issues - regional and local support (feeding into policy and practice) Co-ordinating service delivery to schools with regional ICT advisors

General Support Sources Support groups via education centres Other schools / teachers NCTE special needs staff ICT Advisors Participants in innovative projects Publications, talks, conferences Referrals to other services, e.g., special needs and ICT advice service - DES

ICT Advisor Network ICT Advisors located in full-time education centres - work with NCTE to provide advice, support and training to schools West Cork

NCTE Contacts (for SEN) Address: National Centre for Technology in Education, DCU, Dublin 9 Ph: 01-700 8200 Fax: 01-700 8210 Email: specialneedstechnology@ncte.ie Web: www.ncte.ie; www.scoilnet.ie; www.softwarecentral.ie