Training & Consultancy... Courses... ICT and the Very Special Learner

ICT and the Very Special Learner

Led by ICT in Practice Award winner Ian Bean, the creator of the Priory Woods web site, this full day, 'hands on' course examines some of the many ways that we can use ICTs to support the learning and communication needs of pupils experiencing profound and multiple learning difficulties. Beginning at the very earliest experiential stage of learning, this course will demonstrate (and give you chance to try) software and hardware designed to motivate and engage these very special learners and will share easily replicable teaching strategies you can use in your classroom.

This course will be of interest to colleagues working directly with learners experiencing profound and complex learning difficulties.

Each delegate will receive a 1Gb memory stick preloaded with additional material and resources related to the course content.

10:00 Welcome and Introductions

10:10 Session 1 - Looking, Listening and Responding

This session will look at using ICT at an experiential level and working towards early control skills.

  • Exploring visual and auditory stimulation
  • Developing visual skills: tracking, locating and fixing
  • Sensory stories
  • The importance of personalization
  • Intentional interaction
  • Moving toward early control skills

11:00 Break

11:15 Session 2 - Choosing the right equipment

This session examines some of the many access devices we can use to enable children with PMLD. We will look at basic assessment strategies we can use and adapt to ensure our pupils are using equipment which best meets their needs.

  • An overview of common access devices
  • Access assessment
  • ICT and other 'passports'

12:30 Lunch

A buffet lunch is provided.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to look at other hardware and Inclusive Technology software.

13:30 Session 3 - Making something happen

This session will look at how ICT can help develop and support the child's understanding of cause and effect both on and off the computer.

  • Using toys and mains appliances to help develop cause and effect
  • Cause and effect activities on the computer
  • Using single message devices
  • Making your own personalised cause and effect activities
  • Generalisation and moving on

14:45 Break

15:00 Session 4 - Extending control and simple choice making

This session looks at ways we can extend the child's use of the computer beyond simple cause and effect.

  • Using more than one switch
  • Turn taking
  • Cyclic choosing
  • Making personalised choosing activities

15:55 Plenary and certificates

16:00 Close

We can also run product based or general courses at your organisation, designed to meet your needs.
The team also offers consultancy.