Using ICT to promote inclusion

I set up a simple template in PowerPoint using key questions from my medium term planning as headings. This only took a few minutes.

After researching an area of the topic, the children recorded an aspect of their learning on the relevant page. To insert their comments, the children simply needed to click inside the box and type.

To create templates like this use PowerPoint's AutoLayouts. Insert a new slide and choose from the AutoLayout menu. The option selected here will give you space for a title, a picture and a text box for the children's writing.

Working in small groups, pupils were all able to do this at the same time in our computer suite. The key questions prompted them to recall the main points. I had already inserted some pictures, but of course the children occasionally managed to delete these. As we had used a template it was fairly easy to re-insert them, with the pictures automatically snapping to the grid and not needing altering in any way.

Two children who have poor motor skills find it quite tricky using the mouse to click and drag in order to change the size and position of the picture. Use of these templates avoided the problem, keeping our focus on recording our learning in history.

The children found using PowerPoint easy. All they had to do was click in the text box and type. The red wavy line which is automatically under incorrect spellings prompted them to check spellings. This made my life easier, as able children could often make their own corrections while I was quickly able to identify and help those who needed support.

In recalling what they had learned, children were only supported with a few key questions. However, it became clear that they remembered and understood a great deal of the work. Using ICT proved a good incentive for increasing the amount of recording achieved. Children who were expected to show very limited knowledge and understanding recorded a great deal more than is normally the case with pencil and paper. They also showed a thorough understanding.

We were able to show our PowerPoint slide shows to the whole school in assembly. The presentations looked effective, as well as being a good record of children's learning. The assembly proved to be a good boost to the children's self esteem.

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