Developing
D&T resources for students with complex
learning difficulties
School: Watergate Special
School, Newport
Fellow: Carol-Anne Eades
Email: caeades@btinternet.com
Aims:
To study and build up
knowledge of the cognitive and practical
difficulties that students of all ages
with a wide variety of learning difficulties
experience when designing and making
in Technology
To analyse the designing and making
process for pupils with complex learning
difficulties in resistant materials
technology and then to develop appropriate
materials and equipment for use by students
in both special and mainstream schools
to increase their independent working.
Research has identified the following
difficulties -
ADHD – attention
deficit hyperactive disorder –
need a ‘thrill’ –
try to present problem in a more challenging
way – larger than life approach
- easily distracted - lack of attention.
DYSPRAXIA – do not develop the
skills to just be able to do a task
– everything has to be broken
down into very small steps - have problems
with fine and gross motor skills –
using basic tools is very difficult-
there is slowness of thought process
– need time to deal with what
is being asked. - Very poor memory-
needs help with tracking.
DYSLEXIA – problems with mastering
written and oral language – organisational
skills can also be affected
AUTISM – students with autism
do not live in our world – teachers
need to see the world through their
eyes.
Learning difficulties will
probably mean students may have the following
problems in Design and Technology:
Tracking when ready
Measuring accurately
Copying from the board
Remembering instructions and their
sequence
Poor memory
Finding their place
Writing neatly
Keeping on task
Reading off white paper
Understanding 2D and 3D diagrams
Drawing
Cutting
Sawing
Using Equipment
Machinery Noise
Working in a team
Imagining what something will look
like when completed
Summarising
Writing an evaluation
Cannot colour within the lines
Walking without bumping into someone
Using screws or a screwdriver
Lifting without spilling or dropping
Observation of students with these syndromes
has resulted in the development of specific
resources:
Jigs to increase independent
working
MARK
CUT
FIX
FINISH
Jigs to help with:
DRILLING
At the present time I am developing projects
to incorporate SMART materials – particularly
for students with PMLD –profound and
multiple learning difficulties.
Multi sensory books
Mobiles
Finishes for projects
To increase the independent
working of students with special educational
needs particular resources need to be developed
that are appropriate to their specific syndromes.
Advantages to the
student:
Increased self esteem
as their ability to work on their own
increases and they gradually become
more integrated
Advantages to the
teacher:
Teacher is able to spend
time with the entire class confident
that the students with special needs
are integrated into both the practical
and learning activities
Advantages to the
class:
All students gradually
become more aware of the specific difficulties
that students with special needs have
and how these can be resolved –
learning for everyone becomes an inclusive
process.
Education is learning and living
together. With total inclusion in Design Technology
both students and teachers are involved in
the solving of real problems that result in
the learning experience being totally inclusive.
