How ICT can enhance teaching and learning in Special Educational Needs

Some pupils 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 regarded as essential in enabling pupils with Additional or Special Educational Needs to gain access to the curriculum.

For pupils with physical and sensory difficulties, ICT can be used to:

provide switch access to classroom activities such as matching, sorting and word processing
translate text into speech and speech into text
prepare work which is specially adapted with large fonts, symbols and particular colours

This will give pupils some level of independence in carrying out activities and the ability to work in an environment that encourages play and investigation.

For pupils with learning difficulties (moderate or severe), using ICT can:

provide them with a clutter-free working environment where program content is linked to their educational need and ability
enhance the development of differentiated activities which are clear, focused and attractive
enable individuals to practise skills in a different ways, allowing repetition in order to assist learning
support language development and literacy and numeracy skills through a variety of differentiated activities which can offer a multi-sensory way of learning
offer varied activities for differentiated work across the curriculum

For pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties, using ICT can:

offer a non-threatening or non-judgemental situation thus raising self esteem
be a motivator and offer opportunities for success rather than failure again raising self esteem
provide opportunities for individuals having responsibility for their own learning
allow work on more manageable and achievable tasks

Importantly, there are a number of specially devised 'content free' or 'open framework' software programmes which can be adapted by teachers, classroom staff and parents to provide broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated activities which can be personalised to meet every pupil's needs. These can be used in conjunction with a variety of specialist access tools.

How ICT can enhance teaching and learning in Special Educational Needs

See Also

Top Tasks

Other Council sites

Contact details

Legal

Site info

Government sites