[Mburnsie@hotmail.com]

I agree completely with your point on differentiation and IT.

I love apps such as nessy, and reading eggs which carry out an intitial assessemnt so that each pupil is working on their own  areas of need.

I think Maths apps such as ixl are fantastic to help the class teacher differentiate a topic in a whole class context. It can provide extra instruction and consolidation on a specific area if a child needs it. V

 

[Mburnsie@hotmail.com]

Hi Lynn,

I agree with you. There are so many positives to ICT in SET. Technology will be such an important tool for many of the children we work with. It will be essential in their ability to navigate the world and to help them compensate for their difficulties and offer support  to reach their potential.

However, as in all aspects of our lives technology can never replace good human interactions including the teacher -student relationship. This can be an even more important relationship for children with SEN. The SET can often be the adult that has the time, and  the skill set to really understand and get to know the child . While I was blown away by all the extra knowledge I have gained in this course, technology will be a tool that will be used in my room. As exciting and as stimulating as the educational apps are, we cannot quantify the learning that goes on with a game of cards with a number element , or a board game. etc

As a teaching profession we are showing how pragmatic we are by constantly upskilling and learning on the job to keep up with all the advances in technology.  I also think it is humbling when kids, even those with severe academic difficulties, can “teach the teacher”, when it comes to technology!!!

So while I plan to one hundred per cent embrace the benefits, I too will challenge myself not to become over reliant and to resort to the tried and tested old fashioned methodologies!!!!

[Mburnsie@hotmail.com]

I have used the “Quick Phonics Screener” with children that I am taking for literacy instruction this year. it is a fantastic way to assess for learning and to find a starting point in explicit phonics instruction.

Also when grouping children it is a good tool to find a common starting point. It is an easy to administer test and one that can be used as both an assessment of learning and for learning.

It is free to download and I have the test pages laminated and stored to be pulled out when needed.

This year I hope to combine it with the DIEBEL word reading and reading fluency assessment to get an overall picture and to monitor the child’s progress through the year.

 

[Mburnsie@hotmail.com]

Thanks so much for that Anna. Will take a look! Virtual manipulatives sound amazing as it can be difficult to supply concrete ones in a class

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