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.
The course is primarily intended for Primary teachers. However, Post-primary teachers working with students with reading and/or general learning disabilities will also find it useful.
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.
The course does not require a high degree of ICT knowledge but a basic level of competence with ICT is necessary - e.g. how to open a program, save a file, etc.
Knowledge of the software titles being used is not necessary. Teachers with a good knowledge of PowerPoint should note that this aspect of the course is aimed at those with little experience in its use.
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:
(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
(5) Whole Language based instruction
(6) Case Study (Ben, Down syndrome)
(7) PowerPoint workshop (ii) – creating digital stories
(8) Photo Story 3 workshop
The course will run from 9.30am - 3.15pm. Please note registration commences at 9.00am. Participants will require permission from the Board of Management to attend. Substitution will be provided for class teachers if it is deemed essential by the Principal. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.
Booking:
Booking is essential as places are limited to one teacher per school unless the event is not fully booked. An application form must be submitted for each teacher. In the event of more than one booking being made from a school the principal must indicate the name to which the first place will be allocated. Places will then be allocated to other teachers if the event is not fully booked.
An application form can be accessed below.