Konstantinidis et. al (2009) write that computer based methods are a key element in the education of autistic learners as they enjoy the interaction with a "safe" environment free from expectations and judgements that cause them difficulties in social interactions. For these reasons ICTs in Special Education gives autistic students the confidence and opportunity to explore concepts in ways that they otherwise would be unable to.
This allows students to forget about how other people tell them to learn and to begin exploring for themselves. The portability of iPads makes them perfect for use by individual students in the classroom. Neely et. al (2013) found that students demonstrate a higher level of academic engagement and less challenging behaviours when iPads were used to facilitate learning. We have a number of iPads for use in the classroom with a number of interactive, educational games loaded on them. These will be used during lessons to help students to explore different concepts and to form their own understandings.
An example of this is the ABC Reading Eggs program. This will be used in class to allow students to explore the sounds letters make and how they are put together to form words. The aim of this program is to help students develop the tools that they require to learn to read. An advantage of utilising this program to compliment our literacy lessons is that learning is self paced and once they are comfortable with certain letters or combinations they are able to move on. For non-verbal students this also gives them another way to demonstrate their knowledge.
For more information on the ABC Reading Eggs application please watch the video below and view their website.
This allows students to forget about how other people tell them to learn and to begin exploring for themselves. The portability of iPads makes them perfect for use by individual students in the classroom. Neely et. al (2013) found that students demonstrate a higher level of academic engagement and less challenging behaviours when iPads were used to facilitate learning. We have a number of iPads for use in the classroom with a number of interactive, educational games loaded on them. These will be used during lessons to help students to explore different concepts and to form their own understandings.
An example of this is the ABC Reading Eggs program. This will be used in class to allow students to explore the sounds letters make and how they are put together to form words. The aim of this program is to help students develop the tools that they require to learn to read. An advantage of utilising this program to compliment our literacy lessons is that learning is self paced and once they are comfortable with certain letters or combinations they are able to move on. For non-verbal students this also gives them another way to demonstrate their knowledge.
For more information on the ABC Reading Eggs application please watch the video below and view their website.
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