Technology can be seen as a labyrinth for a teacher landing in a Special School.
On top of all the heightened strains of the Support learning environment, the ever changing fast paced world of technology can seem like a test. For the teacher who has to educate where mainstream schools can't cater to the specialised degree involved, a technology curriculum can seemingly be harrowing, complex and expensive.
But there are some quite easy to use and readily adaptable software tools that are very useful to the wise 'Special' teacher and even may be seen as standard kit.
Something as common-use as Power Point is a staple in the staffroom professional learning environment, but it can also be a great and easily accessible fund of daily learning and activity in the classroom. Digital stories can be set up using common routines and individualised priorities for students. Immobile and high support students can gain excellent 'click-through' reward from interacting with this program.
Publisher can deliver a blank comic book for an age appropriate activity in the savy teacher's classroom or a set of flash cards to the particular needs of a student.
Photo-story makes photos come alive for student projects. It is simple to use and rewarding for involving young minds with new ways of looking at images.
I have used Movie Maker with my secondary students as a social learning tool, involving role play and with primary students as a a part of daily routine and mass practice. Students can rehearse what they see, and the higher functioning student can collaborate with peers to generate personalised content relevant to their interests, keeping them engaged and learning as well as sharing.
Each of these software packages are standard in the DET and Special schools can use them readily for daily teaching and learning.
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