Technology to Support Literacy for Learners with Complex Needs

This is an online 8-week course with live workshops on Tuesdays from 4.00 - 5.00pm delivered by Claire Harrison, the CALL Scotland team and guest speakers. This course would suit anyone involved with supporting children and young people with complex learning needs within a specialist provision, mainstream or special school.

Participants will be asked to reflect on what literacy should look like for children and young people with complex learning needs. And in doing so, explore technology tools and strategies that support the development of emergent literacy skills for learners with access and learning challenges. Participants will explore alternative access to reading and writing for learners who use eye gaze, switches and touch and learn about relevant hardware, software and apps for Windows, iPads and Chromebook devices. Participants will be expected to actively participate in the online workshops through discussions and reflective questions.

Aims of the course

• Develop an understanding of Assistive Technology and how it can be used to teach reading and writing to children and young people with complex learning needs.
• Extend and enhance your knowledge of best practices.
• Consider and engage with frameworks and assessments to utilise appropriate technologies to meet different learning and access needs.
• Increase your confidence when working with technology to enable curricular access.
• Connect and share with other educational professionals.

• Identify a range of assistive technologies, resources and strategies to support the development of reading and writing skills for children and young people with complex learning needs
• Explore the latest research and thinking about creating inclusive literacy classrooms.
• Apply practical assistive technology skills within your setting to facilitate new opportunities for your learners.
• Create a personalised literacy & technology map to help you plan and put what you've learned into practice.

This course would suit anyone involved with supporting children and young people with complex learning needs within a specialist provision, mainstream or special school.

There are no specific entry requirements for this course.