Using Content-free Software to develop Reading Ability in Students with SEN
This is a five-hour Course to be delivered over two evenings (2 x 2.5hrs.)
Course Aim
This course aims to give teachers who work with students with reading difficulties the skills to use content-free software to provide meaningful learning opportunities for their students. While the emphasis is on reading, the skills developed on the course will be of relevance to teachers working with students who have broader language and literacy needs.
Course Overview
The course will focus on the use of PowerPoint, Photo Story 3 and Excel as examples of available content-free software to develop reading ability through both a skills-based approach and a whole language approach.
Participants will learn how to use the software for precision teaching of skills, the creation of digital flash cards and the creation of language experience approach stories using digital images and the student’s own recorded voice.
While the course does not require a high degree of ICT knowledge, a basic level of competence with ICT is necessary. Knowledge of the software titles being used is not necessary. An important prerequisite for participation is an interest in providing targeted and motivating opportunities for students with learning difficulties to develop reading skills.
Expected Outcomes
Participants will:
- understand the role of content-free software in reading instruction
- be able to use PowerPoint to create skills-based reading instruction activities including the creation of electronic flash cards
- be able to use Excel word probes to support students’ reading skills development in a precision teaching approach
- be able to use Photo Story 3 to support skills-based reading instruction
- be able to use PowerPoint and Photo Story 3 to develop Personalised Electronic Stories/Digital Language Experience Approach materials
- Be able to use the above skills to create materials suitable for a range of special needs in literacy and language
Course Content:
Evening One:
(1) Overview of how ICT may be used for reading instruction
(2) Skills-based instruction using content-free software - Case Study (Crystal, Dyslexia)
(3) Hands-on with Excel for precision teaching
(4) PowerPoint workshop (i) – creating skills-based activities
Evening Two:
(5) Whole Language based instruction
(6) Case Study (Ben, Down syndrome)
(7) PowerPoint workshop (ii) – creating digital stories
(8) Photo Story 3 workshop
Time: 7.00pm – 9.30pm
Available Venues and Dates:
| Date | Venue | Booking Deadline |
| Mondays 17th & 24th September 2012 | Laois Education Centre, Portlaoise | September 10th |
| Tuesdays 18th & 25th September 2012 | Cork Education Support Centre | September 10th |
| Wednesdays 19th & 26th September 2012 | Kilkenny Education Centre | September 10th |
| Thursday 20th & Wednesday 26th September 2012 | Athlone Education Centre | September 10th |
| Mondays 1st & 8th October 2012 | Drumcondra Education Centre | September 17th |
| Tuesdays 2nd & 9th October 2012 | Limerick Education Centre | September 18th |
| Wednesdays 3rd & 10th October 2012 | Kildare Education Centre, Kildare | September 19th |
| Thursdays 4th & 11th October 2012 | Clare Education Centre, Ennis | September 20th |
| Mondays 15th & 22nd October 2012 | Waterford Teachers' Centre | October 1st |
| Tuesdays 16th & 23rd October 2012 | Galway Education Centre | October 2nd |
| Wednesdays 17th & 24th October 2012 | Wexford Education Centre | October 3rd |
| Thursdays 18th & 25th October 2012 | West Cork Education Centre, Dunmanway | October 4th |
| Tuesdays 6th & 13th November 2012 | Tralee Education Centre | October 21st |
Booking: Booking is essential as places are limited. To reserve a place on this course please complete the application form.