[senit] ICT skills

Well said Russell, those 3 points seem key to me,

with regard to the original question, whether phrased
in terms of apps that teachers in spec ed should be
able to use, or whether in terms of skills needed, one
of the factors holding back a lot of teachers may be
confidence in using software. However it is not the
only factor .Some teachers can use technology but may
have low pedagogic confidence in using it in a
teaching situation. some teachers may be resistant to
the use of technology in teaching. So the answer to
original question may depend on what is the make-up of
the staff in any given school in terms of  confidence,
willingness to take on what is held to be good etc in
sen pedagogy (eg ICT, communication aids,
signing,symbols etc)as well as current ICT skill
levels.Is there a correlation between low take-up of
these aspects and low use of ICT?  Despite NOF and
training over the years I suspect that there are many
teachers who just haven't moved forward with ICT. The
killer app seemed to be the internet at first- they
could be motivated to use that, but when they dont
move beyond being simple users of content to creators
of content that is a problem. It can be so quick and
simple to use the student's photos in powerpoint,
clicker,chooseitmaker to create motivating content.
Interestingly some teachers who are able to use ICT at
a higher level than required for this do not create
resources either.
Maybe teachers who don't create ICT content could fall
into one of the following clases;
1.avoiding use of ICT in teaching generally
2.users of restricted range of ict content but avoid
content creation,due to skill & motivational issues
3.users of wider range of ict content but avoid
content creation,due to motivational issues (well able
to create content at quite high level)

So to ramble back to the beginning-I guess the aim
should be to make teachers confident/competent users
of content created by others first, as the hurdle to
content creation seems so big.
David 

--- Sean O'Sullivan <sean.frankwise at easynet.co.uk>
wrote:

> Well said Russell, those 3 points seem key to me,
> and perhaps echo  
> the point David Banes was making when talking about
> establishing a  
> good quality of basic skills from which a teacher
> can then  
> confidently explore new software deemed suitable for
> the needs of the  
> students they work with. I would prefer to rephrase
> point number 1 as  
> "Confidence in the ability to use a computer".
> 
> However... I do have an issue with the thought that
> a good quality of  
> basic skills should be expected to be the same old
> combination of  
> familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets and
> presentation  
> software. I feel that Russell's point "Lack of fear
> of computers" (or  
> my version) is the most important, for any user,
> teacher or pupil. To  
> achieve this with pupils who have cognitive learning
> difficulties can  
> often mean that highly text based programmes such as
> word processors  
> and spreadsheets are generally too complex, whilst
> creative tools  
> such as video editing and sound editing can be
> surprisingly accessible.
> I'm sure we're all very familiar with supporting our
> pupils in  
> becoming more independent in whatever they do, and
> using ICT is just  
> another aspect of this. I'm not suggesting that some
> of these pupils  
> are going to just start using stuff like this from
> zero experience,  
> but that when being supported to start using them by
> a competent  
> guide they can make far more progress and begin to
> express themselves  
> much much earlier with well designed simple and
> exciting software.
> 
> That then brings me back to the key skills for the
> staff - get them  
> confident as computer users, no matter what the
> software initially,  
> and then if they pay genuine attention to Russell's
> point 3, "Empathy  
> to the children and their needs" then they will be
> inspired to try  
> and make time to learn whatever software they think
> is best suited.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Sean O'Sullivan
> sean.frankwise at easynet.co.uk
> Headteacher (acting)
> Frank Wise School, Banbury
> http://www.frankwise.oxon.sch.uk
> 
> http://www.parkroadict.co.uk
> 
> 
> On 17 Dec 2007, at 12:31, Eatais at aol.com wrote:
> 
> > Main skills
> > 1 Lack of fear of computers, 2, willingness to try
> new software and
> > approaches, 3 Empathy to the children and thier
> needs.
> > Yes, do the ECDL but also do a specialist course
> in educational   
> > assistive
> > technology. I have written six such courses which
> are on the OCN   
> > website for
> > accredited centres to use FOC..
> > It's nearly christmas!!!
> >
> > Russell J.  Bloom
> > Head of service, Educational Assistive Technology
> / Accreditation   
> > Officer.
> > Educational Assistive Technology Service
> > Access and Inclusion  Services
> > Education & Leisure Directorate
> > Bridgend County Borough  Council
> > Ty Morfa
> > Aberkenfig
> > Bridgend
> > CF32 9AW
> > Tel.     01656 720201
> > Fax.           01656 725806
> > Minicom       01656 725230
> > Mobile 07875  001335
> > Email Lists and forums only
> > eatais at aol.com
> > Email  Non lists Russell.Bloom at bridgend.gov.uk
> >
> > This e-mail and any  attachments transmitted with
> it represent the  
> > views of
> > the
> > individual(s) who  sent them and should not be
> regarded as the  
> > official view
> > of
> > Bridgend County  Borough Council. The contents are
> confidential and  
> > are
> > intended
> > solely for  the use of the addressee.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> 
> 

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