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ICT Training for Teachers |
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| Special Educational Needs and ICT |
How ICT can enhance teaching and learning in Special Educational Needs
Some pupils in your class may have learning difficulties caused by a physical disability, a problem with their sight, hearing or speech, emotional or behavioural problems, a medical or health problem or difficulties with reading, writing, speaking or numeracy. The use of ICT is essential in enabling pupils with Special Educational Needs to gain access to the curriculum.
For pupils with physical and sensory disabilities, ICT can be used to:
This will give pupils some level of independence in partaking in activities and the ability to work in an environment that encourages play and investigation.
For pupils with learning difficulties, using ICT can:
For pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties, using ICT can:
When using ICT with pupils with physical disability, it is important that there is regular assessment of their needs and the provision of training and support for both the pupils and their helpers. This will ensure that the equipment offered to pupils is suitable and appropriate for their needs. ICT resources can include computer access devices such as switches, adapted mice and keyguards, communication aids and specialised software.
Consideration should be made for pupils with visual impairment in terms of the position of pupils in relation to a computer screen, the size of the computer monitor (preferably 17 inches or better), and the clarity of the display. Where possible, colours should be adjusted to meet the specific needs of pupils. Large and clear fonts and speech feedback should also be used where possible. ICT resources should include talking word processors, screen magnifiers, screen readers, electronic braillers and big pointer utilities.
Pupils with hearing impairment may need symbols and pictures to enhance the meaning of text. Graphics can be used to stimulate writing and illustrated overlays can also make writing more accessible when using a concept keyboard. ICT resources should include symbol generating software, word processors, overlay keyboards, word lists, clipart to illustrate writing, spell checkers and grammar checkers.
For pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties, there is a range of ICT resources that can motivate and challenge pupils. These include multimedia programs and educational games. For pupils with learning difficulties, talking books and other CD-ROMs with good sound and graphics which are clearly laid out are useful. Also drill and practise programs, overlay keyboards, word list facilities and talking word processors will support pupils' learning.
ICT Resources to support Special Educational Needs
| Generic software | |
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Name: ClarisWorks* Type: Software Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Integrated software with word processor, drawing, painting and spreadsheet applications. Platform: PC and Mac Supplier: Apple |
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Name: HyperStudio* Type: Software Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Platform: PC and Mac Supplier: TAG Learning - 0800 591262 - http://www.taglearning.com |
| CD-ROMs and software to support SEN pupils in English | |
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Name: Wordshark 2L Type: CD-ROM Key Stage: 1& 2 |
Description: Teaching resource combining the excitement of computer games with the task of learning to read and write. 26 games using sound graphics and text to teach and reinforce word recognition and spelling. Platform: PC Supplier: White Space/REM-01458 254701 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: The Academy of Reading Type: CD-ROM Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Assesses, teaches and strengthens fundamental literacy skills. Platform: PC & Mac Supplier: Autoskill/TAG Learning - 0800 591262 - http://www.taglearning.com |
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Name: Look and Read "Legend of the Lost Keys" Type: CD-ROM Key Stage: 2 |
Description: Includes many activities designed to aid "Reading for Understanding" and Language Skills". Among some of the puzzles are Rhyming Words, Word Endings,Silent Letters and Alphabetical Order. Platform: PC & Mac Supplier: BBC Software/REM-01458 254701 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Writing with Symbols 2000 Type: CD-ROM / software Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Writing can be produced by selecting letters, words, or images. Platform: PC Supplier: Widgit/REM-01458 254701 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Talking Write Away Type: Software Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: A talking educational word processor that enables the user to hear their work being spoken. Platform: PC Supplier: Black Cat/REM-01458 254701 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Speaking Starspell Type: CD-ROM Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Features over 300 word lists and uses the "Look - Cover - Write - Check" strategy. Recommended by the British Dyslexia Association. Platform: PC Supplier: Fisher-Marriott/REM-01458 254701 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: I Can Write Type: Software Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Provides carefully planned frameworks for children's writing. All the topics, prompts and word lists are editable. Different genres are covered in line with National Literacy requirements. Platform: PC Supplier: Resource/REM-01458 254701 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: First Keys to Literacy Type: Software Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Links the development of keyboard awareness to the learning of early literacy skills through picture matching, letter recognition, word building and spelling activities. New word lists can be defined by the teacher. Platform: PC Supplier: Widgit/REM-01458 254701 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: WinTray Type: Software Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Encourages children to predict hidden letters in a piece of text. The "Editor" allows teachers to enter their own text files and create personalised graphics. Platform: PC Supplier: Letts/REM-01458 254701 -http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Oxford Reading Tree talking Stories Type: CD-ROM Key Stage: 1 |
Description: The ORT stories enable pupils to hear stories read, as well as reading them independently. Platform: PC and Mac Supplier: Sherston Software - 01666 843200 - http://sales.sherston.co.uk |
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Name: Living Books CD-ROMs (Tortoise and the hare, etc.) Type: CD-ROM Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Series of interactive CD-ROMs that retell stories with some having accompanying resources which contain suggestions for classroom activities. Platform: PC and Mac Supplier: TAG Learning - 0800 591262 - http://www.taglearning.com |
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Name: Intellitools-IntelliTalk Type: Software Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: An accessible talking word processor that is easy to use. Operates with computer keyboard, Intellikeys, Concept keyboard or Clicker. Speaks letters, words or sentences as you type. Reads back by word, sentence or paragraph. Platform: PC & Mac Supplier: REM-01458 254701 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Talking Textease Type: Software Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Word processor with desktop publishing features. It has provision for using video and audio clips and easy conversion into web pages. Platform: PC Supplier: Softease/REM-01458 254701 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
| CD-ROMs and software to support SEN pupils in Maths | |
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Name: Interactive Calculator Type: Software Key Stage: 2 |
Description: Designed for pupils who have learning difficulties. Multi sensory approach. Platform: PC & Mac Supplier: Inclusive Technology/ REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Noisy Numbers Type: Software Key Stage: 1 |
Description: Designed for children who are learning to count, add and subtract numbers to 5. Pupils enjoy the noisy feedback and animations. Platform: PC Supplier: Semerc - 0161 827 2887 - http://www.semerc.com |
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Name: Maths Workshop Type: Software / CD-ROM Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Basic numeracy skills Platform: PC & Mac Supplier: Broderbund/REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Spider in the Kitchen Type: Software Key Stage: 1 |
Description: Designed to help learners name kitchen objects, learn positional language and to help pupils with sequencing. Platform: PC & Mac Supplier: Inclusive Technology/ REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: 1st Find it Extra Type: Software Key Stage: 1 |
Description: Simple data handling program which introduces pupils to information storage and retrieval, and elementary statistics. At the same time it encourages the development of language skills Platform: PC Supplier: Black Cat Software - 01874 622114 - http://www.blackcatsoftware.com |
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Name: Numbershark Type: Software Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Mathematical games for SEN Platform: PC and Mac Supplier: White Space - 020-8748 5927 |
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Name: Big:Calc Type: Software Key Stage: 1&2 |
Description: Onscreen calculator with large talking numbers. Platform: Mac Supplier: Don Johnston Inc/SCET- 0500 515152 - http://www.scet.com |
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Name: Lets Go Shopping Type: Software / CD-ROM Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Improves numeracy skills by placing pupils in a mini--supermarket where they can shop to their hearts content. Platform: PC and Mac Supplier: SPA/REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: All About Shape and Space Type: Software Key Stage: 1 |
Description: Supports pupils in their work in maths while developing their IT capability in the areas of communicating and handling data, and control and modelling. Platform: PC and Mac Supplier: Semerc - 0161 827 2887 - http://www.semerc.com |
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Name: Primary Maths Type: CD-ROM Key Stage: 1 |
Description: Easy to use. Has eleven colourful animated sections of fun maths exercises. Platform: PC and Mac Supplier: Sherston Software - 01666 843200 - http://sales.sherston.co.uk |
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Name: Foundation Decimals Type: CD-ROM Key Stage: 2 |
Description: Allows pupils experiencing difficulties to revise the basic concepts involved. Platform: PC Supplier: E-Soft/REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Foundation Fractions Type: CD-ROM Key Stage: 2 |
Description: Allows pupils experiencing difficulties to revise the basic concepts involved. Platform: PC Supplier: E-Soft/REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Logical Journey of the Zoombinis Type: Software / CD-ROM Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Pupils develop skills of mathematical reasoning by solving mathematical problems, classifying sorting and developing. Platform: PC and Mac Supplier: TAG Learning - 0800 591262 - http://www.taglearning.com |
| Peripherals | |
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Name: Pixie Floor Turtle Type: Peripheral Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Floor turtle that can be programmed by pupils. Platform: PC and Mac Supplier: Swallow systems - 0494 813471 |
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Name: PIP Floor Turtle Type: Peripheral Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Floor turtle that can be programmed by pupils. Platform: PC and Mac Supplier: Swallow systems - 0494 813471 |
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Name: Valiant Roamer Type: Peripheral Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Floor roaming device that can be programmed by pupils. Platform: PC and Mac Supplier:/REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
| CD-ROMs and software to support Specific Learning Disabilities | |
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Name: First Steps Type: Software Key Stage: 1 |
Description: Designed to attract special needs users to the computer. Uses bold shapes and loud attention grabbing noises. Platform: PC Supplier: Brilliant/REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Interactive Stories Type: CD-ROM Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Seven different stories that enable young deaf children to interact with them. Platform: PC Supplier: Microbooks/REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: My First Signs Type: CD-ROM Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Covers the environment in which deaf people live, and words and phrases that are commonly required. Platform: PC Supplier: Microbooks/REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Look Here Type: Software Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Designed for visual stimulation this program displays coloured shapes, lines and patterns in sequence. It is intended for use with pupils with limited vision or visual skills. Platform: PC Supplier: Sensory Software/REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Listen Hear Type:: Software Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Developed for auditory stimulation, this program plays recorded sounds in a number of different ways. Platform: PC Supplier: Sensory Software/REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Sound Stuff Type: Software Key Stage: 1 |
Description: Five games which encourage sound and speech recognition. Pupils match sounds to objects and sounds to sounds. Platform: PC Supplier: Brilliant/REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Touch Funfair Type: Software Key Stage: 1 |
Description: Simple games based around a funfair designed to develop cause and effect, visual discrimination/matching and mouse skills. Platform: PC & Mac Supplier: Brilliant/REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Smart Alex Type: Software Key Stage: 1 & 2 |
Description: Alex can male or female, black or white. Four games are included which encourage expression, vocalisation, concentration and the ability to find words of Rebus symbols. Good introduction to data processing. Platform: PC & Mac Supplier: Brilliant/REM-01458 254701- http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
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Name: Clicker Plus Type: Software Key Stage: 2 |
Description: An on screen keyboard with speech. Makes writing easier for pupils of all ages including SEN pupils. A version called "Switch Clicker" makes it accessible to pupils who cannot use a mouse or a keyboard. Platform: PC & Mac Supplier: REM-01458 254701 - http://www.r-e-m.co.uk |
| More to be added... | |
Web Sites for Special Educational Needs
| Teaching Resources, Activities and Reference materials |
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The Virtual Teacher Centre Special Needs and Inclusion area - worth exploring. |
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The NGfL Inclusion Site |
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This site gives information on observable behaviours at different developmental stages of Dyspraxia |
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The DfEE Special Educational Needs Site |
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The Becta Inclusion and Special Educational Needs Site |
| More to be added... |
| Organisations, Journals and Conference Sites |
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The Dyspraxia Foundation. Gives further information about Dyspraxia and how to help a child with Dyspraxia. |
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Becta: Lists organisations which provide information about special needs. |
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The Standards site: |
| More to be added... |