[senit] ICT and parents of students with SEN

Hi David

I have being doing quite a lot of work with parents this term. Initially I organised two sessions (afternoons, during school time, so child care was not an issue) - the first on software:

Find out more about:
Software you can use with your child at home
Software for fun and education
Free software and resources
What is good value and what’s not!
CD-Rom of free resources for attendees
Includes an overview of suitable software and a closer look at what the following titles have to offer:
Clicker 5
SwitchIt Maker 2
ChooseIt Maker 2

The second session was on access:

Find out more about:
Different ways of accessing a computer, including:
Switch
Touch screen
Pointer device (mouse, tracker ball and joystick)
Keyboard
Discover new ways to support your child to develop their ability to access a computer, including:
What skills are involved in using equipment
Software and contexts to practice skills
What the next steps are	

Both sessions were well attended and the evaluations were very positive. I gave parents copies of the latest Inclusive Technology catalogue, information from Crick on their products and home licensing deals, a CD which contained some free or open source software, including Tux Paint, SwitchIt and ChooseIt Maker 2 free players along with a few resources we had made for each program, some of the Priory Woods switch activated videos and some scripts I had written in AutoHotKeys to transform a regular keyboard into rudimentary switch access. I also strongly emphasised the need to focus more on the fun side of ICT and learning at home.

I have done a small amount of follow up on a 1:1 basis, although I've tried to minimise this as it is not very manageable. Additionally parents were invited to attend some staff training on Clicker 5 and SwitchIt Maker 2, which a couple of proactive parents did. 

More sessions for September are beginning to take shape including:

Buying computer equipment and funding sources
Using the Internet - safe and accessible surfing
Hands-on workshops on using curriculum software

I have also been in discussion with our CLC manager who has brilliantly offered some training sessions for parents wanting to improve their own ICT skills.

The preparation was quite time consuming, but in terms of outcomes for the children, it was really worthwhile as many parents have already implemented things to improve their child's access to ICT at home.

Sorry, a rather long winded reply...

Claire Barnes
Willow Dens School

-----Original Message-----
From: david fettes [mailto:davidfettes3 at yahoo.co.uk] 
Sent: 26 June 2008 21:38
To: senit at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: [senit] ICT and parents of students with SEN

hi do any schools have well developed programs to develop the students home learning via training parents to use various aspects of ICT?
what aspects do you address?
eg
internet, office software, school type SEN software,
use of digital cameras, other?
How do you carry this out?
eg
termly/weekly training sessions, accredited training sessions,
coffee morning sessions, other?
thanks
David

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