Digital Technologies and Special Needs Education

Digital Technologies and SEN

‘Technology is not the magic answer but rather an interactive multimedia resource that can provide motivational teaching and learning tools for a wide range of students. A range of hardware, software and online options will be explored with emphasis placed on using technology to support the curriculum and the individual student support file of the student’

Course Modules
  1. Introduction to Assistive Technology in the 21st Century Classroom.
  2. Specialist High Tech options
  3. An introduction to the ‘Inclusive Curriculum” and the UDL framework
  4. Exploring supports for literacy and numeracy
  5. What’s next? Planning for tomorrow by looking back.
Technical Requirements

All our courses require broadband Internet access (Min of 2mb recommended) and participants need to be familiar with using the internet, downloading and installing software.

Course Objectives

Teachers will understand the importance of assistive technologies for pupils with SEN in both special and mainstream school settings. Teachers will be introduced to the concept of high, medium and low/no tech equipment with practical examples of each. Teachers will be asked to reflect on their current teaching strategies.

Expected Outcomes and Module Breakdown

Participants will have an understanding of the assistive technologies available to support the education of students with special needs and a range of disabilities.

Module one will be an introduction into assistive technologies and the importance of the Digital Learning Framework in schools. We will discuss the importance of the SETT tool for gathering data and making decisions on the right tool for the student. There will be a huge emphasis on the inclusive curriculum using the NCSE.

Module two will focus on high tech assistive technologies and assistive technologies available in Microsoft.

Module three will discuss the UDL framework and how inclusion and accessibility are so important in the 21st Century Classroom. We will look at the Cosan framework for teachers learning. We will discuss the accessibility features on the iPad. The SAMR module for the implementation of technology into the classroom will be discussed and the importance of SEL social emotional learning is today?

Module four will look at literacy and numeracy supports for students with SEN again with a focus on the Microsoft platform and other free applications. We will Refer to The National Strategy to Improve Literacy & Numeracy among young children & Young people 2011-2020

Module five will look at planning for a blended curriculum in September and other professional development opportunities with Microsoft and Apple for teachers. The school self-evaluation guidelines are invaluable to participants’ own teaching and a range of assessment for learning techniques, as they consider how the range of digital tools and resources can be used to assist with lesson planning, designing activities to support pupils with special education needs. Focus on the use of ICT for SEN in the context of School Self Evaluation and how this relates to the Digital Learning Framework standards.

Course Duration

Delivered online, this course can be taken anytime between March1st and May 31st 2021 . Participants will be encouraged to engage meaningfully with course content for approximately 20 hours.

Cost:€69 |Enrol | Current Courses

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