An overview for Support Teachers of ways ICT can enable inclusion

Good practice in ICT will support all learners, encouraging independence and progress. ICT is a useful TOOL. It is not what the technology can do, but what you can do with the technology that is important!

“the Government is committed to promoting the inclusion of pupils with SEN in mainstream school…… with the right strategies and support the vast majority of a child’s individual needs can be met in either a mainstream or specialist setting” ICT - Entitlement for ALL children - Access entitlement for child with SEN

Assistive Technology ICT provides access to the curriculum by enabling physical access and by supporting the development of cognitive skills. Writers with serious physical and sensory impairments Pupils with poor motor control Writers with specific learning/literacy difficulties Learners with organisational difficulties Pupils with specific language disorder Learners with attentional and motivational difficulties

How does ICT contribute to learning? ICT enables the pupil to be an active participant in the classroom, not just a passive observer ICT offers opportunities for differing learning styles ICT is a motivating medium which has ‘street cred’ ICT enables pupils to stay on task by focusing their attention and alleviating some of the physical pressures ICT enables pupils to develop independence ICT affords privacy to work and develop at the learner’s own pace ICT provides a medium through which pupils can demonstrate their true ability and potential ICT can facilitate social communication and interaction,including pupils in a wider community ICT can support the production of well presented, high quality outcomes.

Identifying Learning Styles and Using Strengths to help Weaknesses Children may need to develop strategies to support their differences in learning. Identification of preferred learning style enables focussed teaching and facilitates good learning strategies –

Identifying Learning Styles and Using Strengths to help Weaknesses Use of ICT can assist this : Use of speech and sound to support visual strengths use of images to support auditory strengths encouragement of handling of objects alongside looking and listening encouragement to articulate and repeat new words /ideas

What sort of hardware? The child may not necessarily need specialist hardware, but may benefit from : good multi media computers more regular access to the computer than the class norm alternative access devices (rollerball, touchscreen etc), if needed

Software and alternatives to the keyboard and mouse include: Head pointers Keyboard/mouse accessibility utilities and keyboards Overlay keyboards Predictive word processors Switches and scanning systems Touchpads Trackballs and joysticks Voice recognition software

Developing cognitive skills The child will be exposed to variety of related activities on and away from computer but may benefit from extra computer time for: matching / sorting / sequencing / counting games (early years) the opportunity of computer support to use strengths to support weaker areas

Support for reading Multi-sensory environment spoken text animation instant support for ‘hard’ words instant re-reading service

Support for writing personal writing aid easy editing spellchecking(?) legible work portability cost

Word Processors Word Processors Word processors are useful for pupils with writing difficulties because: it can be physically easier to write with a keyboard than by hand.it can be physically easier to write with a keyboard than by hand. drafting, re-drafting and editing is quicker and easier.drafting, re-drafting and editing is quicker and easier. they produce neat, legible results.they produce neat, legible results. they have built-in writing support tools - word banks, spellcheckers, speech output and other features that can be suited to the writer and task.they have built-in writing support tools - word banks, spellcheckers, speech output and other features that can be suited to the writer and task.

Developing keyboard skills Software to support: First Keys to Literacy Speedy Keys On-screen or overlay keyboard grids Can be learned and practised at home Young children need to learn layout Older children need speed and accuracy Use any program the child enjoys Practise 20 minutes every day – especially in holidays

Improving spelling technology can be help through : –speech feedback –a portable spellchecker –predictive typing –drill and practise remediation programs

Support for numeracy cognitive difficulties recording maths info social maths –telling the time –days and months –coping with money –using a calculator –self-help remediation

Memory enhancement Memory training Speech feedback Software such as Thinkin’ Things

Coping with the curriculum Access can be provided through: talking worksheets a personal voice recorder topic related wordbanks mindmaps

LC19 Barriers to access Computer software can easily exclude a wide number of potential users by having screen layouts that contain: too large text blocks to read at one time too long sentences too small or inappropriate font too many icons for pull down menus unsuitable colour combinations of foreground or background superimposition of text on shadowy background images too many distracting frames on the screen