An INSET day presentation

INSET DAY PRESENTATION : 

INSET DAY PRESENTATION “Whatsthedifference” Special Educational Needs Blog

Aims of Workshop : 

Aims of Workshop To provide general information about Olchfa’s new SEN Blog “What’sthedifference.”

Workshop : 

Workshop Welcome. Introduction. Brief history of how the blog has evolved. Why have a SEN blog? Who is it aimed at? How can “What’sthedifference?” be used in an educational environment.

Workshop : 

Workshop How can you contribute to the blog? How to spread the word? Exploring the blog - time out. Questions and Answers. Brainstorm – Think Tank. Plenary Epilogue - “A=DHd”.

Introduction : 

Introduction How to access “What’sthedifference? Getting connected. Brief explanation on how to navigate the blog – Site settings, categories and pages.

Brief History : 

Brief History From idea to application. Origin of idea for blog.

Why have a SEN blog? : 

Why have a SEN blog? To provide general and specific information about a wide variety of learning difficulties. To act as a rapid access educational resource for teachers, teaching assistants and pupils. To encourage pupils and members of staff to contribute to a community type blog and create a ‘virtual inclusive school’ which promotes understanding, awareness, identification, inspiration and interaction. To promote the role of SEN within the school and highlight the contribution of the SEN Department.

Why have a SEN blog? : 

Why have a SEN blog? Encourage pupil and staff awareness of SEN issues, counter stigmatising, bullying and discrimination. Provide a space where pupils and staff can express themselves and their individual talents. Put SEN at the heart of the school and not on the margins, create a sense of belonging. Provide a Forum for discussion on SEN issues within the school and with outside agencies.

Who is it aimed at? : 

Who is it aimed at? Pupils Teachers Teaching Assistants Parents Interaction with outside agencies such as schools, SEN centres, relevant organisations and professionals via the internet and weblinks.

How can “What’sthedifference?” be used in an educational environment? : 

How can “What’sthedifference?” be used in an educational environment? The blog can be used in three main areas – the classroom, in an extracted learning support situation or at home. Who can use it? – Teachers Teaching Assistants Pupils Parents

- Teachers : 

- Teachers Via IT access to a wide range of classroom and learning strategies catering for a wide range of SEN pupils. Classroom management Lesson Plans Differentiated Worksheets Disciplinary Tips Homework Tips General awareness of learning difficulties

- Teaching Assistants : 

- Teaching Assistants Via IT access to a wide range of classroom and learning strategies catering for a wide range of SEN pupils. Differentiated Worksheets. Disciplinary Tips. Tips on how to make progess. General awareness of learning difficulties and SEN issues. Tips on how to work more effectively with teachers.

- Pupils : 

- Pupils Learn a variety of learning strategies to incorporate into their education. Create a greater sense of self awareness and self esteem. Self empower pupils to act more independently. Benefit form alternative approaches to reward and disciplinary procedures – help with ‘choice’ making. Benefit from improved and more tailored educational input – improve academic achievement.

- Parents : 

- Parents Help with empowering their children to act more independently Gain access to a wide range of information on how to help with parenting pupils with special needs. Learn a variety of learning strategies to incorporate into assisting their children learn at home. Gain a greater awareness of their children’s special educational needs. Access to support groups. Homework Tips.

How can you contribute to the blog? : 

How can you contribute to the blog? By leaving your comments on the Your Say page or at the bottom of any post or page. Send us articles on various SEN subjects Contribute creatively – artwork, subject PowerPoint presentations, videos, photographs, plays etc Encourage your pupils, classes, forms and Years to contribute. Write something for the blog! Spread the Word!

Spread the Word : 

Spread the Word Tell your colleagues how brillant the blog is – telling them all the advantages of plugging in. Let your fingers do the walking. Contribute to the blog. Use the blog in your everyday educational provision! Let it change the way you think about SEN. Actions speaks a lot louder than words!

Exploring “What’sthedifference?” : 

Exploring “What’sthedifference?” Don’t just take my word for it – get connected! Browse the blog time.

Questions and Answers : 

Questions and Answers

Brainstorm – Think Tank : 

Brainstorm – Think Tank Making a difference already? New ideas and suggestions.

Plenary : 

Plenary Summing up what we’ve learnt and how we’re going to incorporate this into our classrooms and learning support.

“A=DHd” : 

“A=DHd” This play was inspired by working with a pupil with ADHD and a book by Ben Polis called “Only A Mother Could Love Him.” It was performed by form 7PR to Year 7 assembly and highlighted a day in the life of a pupil with ADHD and was successful in raising awareness about this and other learning difficulties.