ICT Resources & Supports:

National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE)

&

Department of Education and Science (DES)

2

Issues for the SEN/LS teacher

• Matching technology with students

• Training in ICT and SEN

• Choosing hardware/assistive technology

• Getting funding for ICT & purchasing

• Choosing software tools

• Choosing or creating appropriate digital content

• Using software/ICT in the classroom

• Getting support/helping yourself

NCTE is a source of support in most of these areas, as follows:

3

NCTE/DES Technology Support

• Grants for ICT use in special needs, issued by DES (without application) to the school

• DES funds for individual special needs students (application-based)

• Laptops for visiting teachers

• Providing special needs advice e.g., through booklets, NCTE website, etc.

4

Grants for Individual Students with Special Needs

Primary

• Application-based procedure for individual students with specific assistive technology needs

• Schools apply to the Special Educational Needs Organiser with assigned responsibility for the school. See NCSE website for SENO contact details . . . www.ncse.ie

.

5

Grants for Individual Students with Special Needs

Post-Primary

• Application-based procedure for individual students with specific assistive technology needs. Schools apply to the SENO with assigned responsibility for the school.

• The eligibility criteria, application form and procedure under the terms of Memo 14/05, all available on  www.education.ie - choose “Children with Special Needs”, then view file Circular M14/05.

6

NCTE Software Support

• Software evaluation activity

– involves special needs teachers/titles

– see NCTE website/ Software Central (www.softwarecentral.ie)

– Guide to software evaluation published

• Funds software library in education centres

– Contact local ICT advisor for access

– Some peripherals/assistive technology for special needs also available in these libraries

• Talks/demos arranged in education centres

7

NCTE SEN/ICT Training

• Training starts with basic training: introductory phases 1 and 2.

• ICT and special needs courses:

» The Basics» Learning Support» Mild General Learning Disabilities» Moderate, Severe/Profound General

Learning Disabilities and Multiple Disabilities

» Deaf/Hard of Hearing» Visual impairment» Autistic Spectrum Disorders

• Courses in various technology skills, e.g., the Internet, and in using ICT in the curriculum

• Support groups through education centres

8

Using ICT in the classroom:

• Supporting projects looking at – use of specific technologies/software

– different uses of ICT with students with special needs, e.g., Laptops Initiative

• See NCTE website and SIP website for project information (www.ncte.ie); (www.sip.ie)

• Working with NCCA on development of curricular guidelines & exemplars for ICT

• Working with DES and others to provide digital information and content

9

NCTE: Internet content and support

Scoilnet: Irish education portal• Curriculum resources and weblinks (not only

on ICT)• Special needs section• www.scoilnet.ie

NCTE website: Info and advice on ICT• Special needs technology section• www.ncte.ie

Developing digital content

Promoting internet safety

10

Other NCTE SEN activities

• Working with European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education

– See case studies on www.senist.net

– See also www.european-agency.org

• Identifying support issues - regional and local support (feeding into policy and practice)

• Co-ordinating service delivery to schools with regional ICT advisors

11

General Support Sources

• Support groups via education centres• Other schools / teachers • NCTE special needs staff• ICT Advisors• Participants in innovative projects• Publications, talks, conferences• Referrals to other services, e.g., special

needs and ICT advice service - DES

12

ICT Advisor Network

• ICT Advisors

located in full-

time education

centres - work

with NCTE to

provide advice,

support and

training to

schoolsWest Cork

13

NCTE Contacts (for SEN)

Address: National Centre for Technology in Education, DCU, Dublin 9

Ph: 01-700 8200Fax: 01-700 8210

Email: specialneedstechnology@ncte.ie

Web: www.ncte.ie; www.scoilnet.ie; www.softwarecentral.ie