| We had
identified that all our ICT resources
at the school only supported solitary
interaction that invariably demanded
the presence of our support staff.
The diversity of the students special
needs meant that although we had a
broad range of ICT tools that met
their individual requirements they
were prohibitive to group work. Although
interactive whiteboards are having
a huge impact in schools in terms
of supporting learning, the benefits
appeared inaccessible to our children.
Martin Pateman of Smarter Interactive;
“In our view the SMART Board
and its software tools are ideal for
the special educational needs environment.
The whole issue is how you make it
accessible to students with various
needs. Our solution centred on the
SMART Board™ for Flat-Panel
Displays Interactive Plasma Overlay,
mounted on a specially designed electronic
bracket system which raises and lowers
the board, depending on the height
of the children interacting with the
displayed information.
In my view, this requirement for
smooth height adjustment is not specific
to special educational needs environments.
In all schools, especially in the
primary sector,
a height adjustment feature offers
significant additional benefits.”
|
|
Joy continues;
“Smarter SInteractive’s bracket
design was ideal, the results have
meant that we need them in every class.
In general we use the technology for
every school project, exercise and
unit of activity. The interactive
overlays are even used during wet
play time so that the children can
play their DVD’s or move around
to their favorite CDs.
Prior to finding a way of introducing
interactive whiteboards, many children
were excluded from taking part in
ICT supported activities. Despite
the physical restrictions they also
had little enthusiasm to even try
to interact. Today the classrooms
that have the interactive overlays
are a vibrant centre of shared learning.
The technology is giving them phenomenal
future life skills that
they just would not have had before.
The children are alert, focused
and can not wait to be involved.
When using the SMART Board
we do not have to identify the appropriate
ICT solution, the technology is the
ideal solution
for everyone. No one is left out.”
|
