[kimfbailey@gmail.com]

Thank Noelin. That is a great list of the benefits and challenges of ICT and SEN. I find it is a great motivator in class as an alternative to writing on a worksheet for example. It also acts as a great reward and helps to create a relationship with the student and their personal interests and in my case, their personal taste in music. I totally agree though it can diminish social interaction between peers and with the teacher. For some students with SEN who need to work on their own social interaction with others they can retreat behind the ‘keyboard’ so to speak. I think everything has pros and cons but I do think the benefits of using ICT in SEN outweighs the challenges but everything must be kept in balance.

[kimfbailey@gmail.com]

There are lots of very interesting assessment tools available. I however, do not have any experience with standardized testing in secondary schools as my main focus for assessment purposes is generally the Junior Cycle which includes a practical music exam, two portfolios which are ‘classroom based assessments’ referred to as CBA’s and the JCSP certificates. I also follow the Level 3 Music Appreciation award on the QQI system for some post junior cert students.

I enjoy using portfolios and podcasting as a form of assessment for students in class. We record songs/raps/instrumental pieces written by the students using Audacity or Garageband or even voice memos on the ipad. This allows for self assessment of the student on their own performance. They are often very critical but I would use the 2 stars and a wish when they ‘critique’ their work in class. Self reflection is a hugely important element on the new junior cycle.

My favorite assessment to use in class which incorporates ICT is EdPuzzle. You can use YouTube videos of songs/ performances/ advertisements/ anything really and make an assessment by adding questions at different points of the video.

The video pauses and the question pops up on the screen for the student to answer. They can be closed one word answers, multiple choice or open ended questions. You can choose to use part of or all of the video. It is interactive, has audio (you can add a voiceover) and is not text heavy.  The student can see if they got the correct answer straight away before moving to the next question and then sees their overall score at the end.

I can then track students progress in an excel style spreadsheet. I can go back on their assessment and add in feedback on incorrectly answered questions so it useful as a tool for homework or class tests at the end of the unit studied. The students are part of my ‘class’ and use a code to gain access to the ‘classroom’ to complete the assessment. Often students will complete it on ipads at the end of class live together. Recently, I found it very useful for recognizing the instruments of the orchestra. No more standing at a CD player playing stop and play!!

If you have not used Edpuzzle before there are lots of tutorials on it on YouTube. Definitely a more interesting form of assessment than worksheets!

[kimfbailey@gmail.com]

Hi Daphne, I agree, the ‘thoughts on your school’ is a lovely way to conference with the student when meeting them first. I work in a special school and we use a version of this with new students on their first day as part of our ‘induction program’. It also is added to the students IEP. It gives us a great idea of how the student feels about school. Often our students have had very negative experiences in previous secondary school placements due to learning, behavioral, social and emotional difficulties. It is a good starting point. I like to move forward with this idea in my music class by doing a ‘Mixed tape’ worksheet where the student makes a virtual ‘playlist’ of songs for different reasons –

a song I like to listen to when I’m angry/ when I’m happy/ when I’m nervous/ when I’m sad;

a song that reminds me of someone/something/ a memory;

a song that I can dance to;

a song I like to listen to in the car;

a song that helps me wake up in the morning;

a song that best describes ‘me’

I then listen to these songs with the student to get a feeling for who they are and what they like from their personal style of music. Its a very personal thing for each student. It allows conferencing and building a relationship through music. I think is works well as class 1 with each new student.

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