How can ICT support the learning of children with special educational :: ICT Essays

How can ICT victuals the skill of children with fussy educationalneeds?ICT can support the learning of children with special educationalneeds SEN. It enables children with SEN to suppress barriers tolearning by providing alternative or additional methods ofcommunicating within the learning process. Moreover, it also helpsteachers to create a supportive framework, which can enable autonomouslearning. When used creatively, ICT can meliorate and enhance teaching,motivating pupils and engaging them in active learning. But how isthis achieved? The ladder of special needs covers a very wide spectrum.It will be necessary therefore to examine how ICT can support thevarious needs. criterion equipment is often suitable for children with SEN. thesettings of the computer can be careens to make it much computerfriendly. The black eye motion can be slowed down for unwrap control. Thetoolbar can be created to suit the childrens needs. However if thisis not suitable there argon many peri pherals and devices, which cansupport children with SEN, but not in all are appropriate for everyone.For those children with a physical disability a mixing of switches,optical pointers, voice controlled devices and word predictionsoftware has been designed to overcome the problems these childrenhave using traditional input devices such as the mouse and keyboard.However according to Semerc 2000 these alternative methods of accessare more multifactorial than direct input and therefore place an additionalcognitive commove on the child. The system therefore needs to be set upso that it does not become an additional barrier. Children need to be qualified with input devices such as switches. The technique may take duration to develop and opportunities need to be provided to practisethese to avoid frustration.There are a variety of switches available. Some involve hand movement firearm others can be operated by other parts of the body level(p) a strongpuff of breath can operate a swit ch. The assessment of the type ofswitch required is usually carried out by specialists Hopkins, 1998.This assessment needs to be continuous. Bowser and Reed 1995 ascited by Bryant et al 1998 argue that as a child progresses throughthe Education System, their requirements change and this maynecessitate a need for different devices. This is not restrict to thosechildren with a physical disability but is relevant to all childrenwith SEN as they progress and the Education System places additionalburdens upon them.For children with a visual loss ICT can provide support invarious ways tools to support communication, to improve access toinformation and as a means of producing learning materials inalternative. There is a wide range of devices and software, which can