Explore
ICT in Explore Lower School
ICT is an integral part of learning in Lower School. Students with AAC devices are encouraged to use these throughout the day to support their communication and learning. Students are supported and encouraged to make choices on their communication device, e.g. making decisions to inform their learning and during an outing using a communication device to make an order at a cafe. Computers and iPads are used for student activities, such as, switch it jigsaw, pop videos, choose and Tell, story time and Education City for number rhymes and games. We also use the IWB during group sessions to promote turn taking and attention. Some students access Lexia on laptops or computers. We use different types of technology, for example, torches, fans or wind machines to add impact during group sessions e.g. during a number session students press the button to switch on the fan at an appropriate time. Switch technology such as Big Mac or recordable sound button devices and other sensory technology are used during drama and sensory story sessions. Other technology such as microphones to encourage speaking and listening, keyboards for independent play, remote control cars (very popular!) are always utilised during sessions especially for choosing times when children are allowed free choice play and learning time within the classroom. Again, these range of activities encourage turn taking, social play, communication, problem-solving and independent skills |
ICT in Explore Upper School
ICT lessons to develop skills including: using word, copying and pasting pictures, writing an email and how to send it, navigating the internet to search for different things relating to a topic or personal interest, making a PowerPoint. Laptops and iPads are used when the pupils are accessing Lexia, EasiMaths, RM maths during lesson time. ICT is used to tell stories, the IWB is used to show the story on a larger scale and the pupils learn how to navigate the program to retell the story, change the characters or the ending of the story. Communication aids and Eyegaze are used to give pupils a voice so that they can access their learning. ICT is a huge motivator for our Explore learners in upper school and is offered through their choosing time. This helps them to research things their own interest, use different programs and systems on the computer, find games and activities on the internet. Switches and BigMacs are used to help pupils with their learning; there might be an instruction on their to follow, they might use the switches to support the development of vocabulary when working in a role play area. |
ICT in Explore Post 16
Within ICT Post 16 students work on developing their basic ICT skills. They work on logging onto the computer using a prompt card and build up to doing this independently. Through mouse control or touch screen navigation the students learn how to open programmes as directed. Using 2Simple programmes students can select different options, such as 2Paint,a Picture, giving them ownership of their learning, they build skills to use a keyboard successfully to enter text and recently they have been using 2DIY to create their own games. All students learn to print and save their work as independently as possible. |