DfEE Green Paper (22/10/1997) The impact of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

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The impact of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

30. Developments in Information and Communications Technology are opening up educational opportunities previously denied to pupils with SEN. For example, speech recognition systems which operate word processing packages are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Speech Output and Large Print Systems are transforming the possibilities for visually impaired children to access the full range of curriculum materials. Some LEAs routinely assess ICT requirements of children with special educational needs. We want to see this good practice extended. ICT should be used to give children with special educational needs maximum access to the curriculum, and to help them reach their learning potential.

31. Some ideas for using ICT to help children with special needs have been simple, and relatively cheap. The BT Fax Buddies project links children with communication difficulties to adult volunteers, including 12 from the DfEE's Special Educational Needs Division. The child and volunteer exchange one or two short faxes each week, to help the child become more accustomed to informal conversation. Fax machines are all that is required.

32. Expertise in ICT amongst professionals working with children with SEN varies. The National Grid For Learning will provide an infrastructure for networked learning, focusing initially on teacher development and curriculum support. We will redeploy National Lottery funding towards the support of more specialised forms of ICT training for staff, including training in the use of ICT for children with SEN. The new "Virtual Teachers' Centre" to be associated with the University for Industry will be an ideal forum for teachers to exchange ideas and good practice about special educational needs, extending the range of existing networks such as the SEN co-ordinators' discussion forum established by NCET.

Case study - Use of ICT to support children with SEN

West Oaks Special School in Leeds provides for children of all ages with a range of special educational needs, including autism. The school has made good use of IT, including use of networked specialist hardware and software to give children with communication and physical difficulties access to the curriculum.

The school has also worked for the National Council for Educational Technology (NCET) on its 'Superhighways' project; this led to a rapid development of skills among pupils and teachers and better access to all National Curriculum areas. The school's OFSTED report said that the recent development of effective IT teaching was due to very positive leadership and substantial in-service training. The report also said that some teachers were demonstrating very good teaching... often planning activities designed to develop and reinforce basic communication skills and for older, more able pupils, providing IT skills to enhance their work in other subjects of the curriculum.

QUESTION: What should the DfEE do to promote Information and Communications Technology as a means of supporting children with special educational needs?Case study Use of ICT to support children with SEN

31/08/2000