Dr Daniel Tindall

DOCTRID V Conference

University of Limerick

Friday, 28th April, 2017

i-PLAY: Inclusive Play & Leisure Activities for Youth

In Ireland, PETE programmes need to improve their SEN/inclusive education training to include practically-orientated inclusive education modules that seek to promote positive attitudes towards inclusion, alongside a basis of knowledge, skills and understanding.

Research suggests that ‘hands-on’ practical experiences, coupled with relevant theoretical concepts, improve teachers’ attitudes towards students with certain types of disabilities.

(Meegan & MacPhail, 2006)

Rationale

WHY i-PLAY??? – Three main reasons:

1. To provide children and young people with SEN the opportunity to play and interact socially with peers,

2. To provide pre-service Physical Education teachers an opportunity to gain experience in planning and teaching to youth with SEN as it relates to the physical activity setting,

3. To provide families an opportunity to connect with one another (and our PE students) as a way to support each other and their children with SEN.

Service & Teaching

Through first designed as a way to provide service to CwD and further training for PSTs in inclusive education, the i-PLAY programme has also allowed for engagement in multiple research projects at various levels of investigation:

• Student Research✓ Post-graduate Level (EMMAPA – Masters; PhD???)✓ Undergraduate Level (Final Year Projects)

• Faculty Research✓ Within and across departments/disciplines✓ Other institutions

Research Aspect

• PST and Current Teacher Attitudes & Self-Efficacy towards including SEN in Physical Education (PG & UG)

• Survey/Questionnaire design for children with VI/Blindness (PG)

• Comparison of the overarm throw and horizontal jump for children with ID to age matched peers (PG)

• Using assessment to inform the Individualised Educational Plan (UG)

Student Research

FYP Group

• Disability Awareness thru Sport (DAS)

• Physical Activity Levels of CwD✓ Accelerometer✓ SOFIT

• Parent perceptions of benefits and potential improvements of the i-PLAY programme

Faculty Research

• PST and current PE Teacher attitudes & perceptions towards inclusion in physical education

• Educational provision in physical education for students with SEN (curriculum, assessment, and instructional strategies)

• The IEP in Ireland – design, implementation, and attitudes

• CPD opportunities for PE teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) – training & collaboration

• MVPA and sport opportunities for children with disabilities

• Advocacy at government level for protected physical education for students with disabilities

• PhD development (growth of discipline/programme in Ireland)

Continued & Future Directions

• Across UL

– PESS / EPS / HS

• Across Limerick

• Across Ireland

• Internationally

Collaboration(Teaching & Research)

Questions / Comments?