Further Education Teachers – Supporting Inclusion and Progression through Assistive Technology

This workshop is offered by IT Tralee as part of the SOAR project for broadening participation in third level education.

Further Education is an important stepping-stone to third level study and provides a window of opportunity for developing self-directed learning skills.  For students with disabilities, a range of rapidly developing technologies can reduce or remove many of the barriers they face in education and support their successful progression to degree level and beyond.  Further Education courses provide an important opportunity for students to experiment with these, and to develop an effective learning process using the most appropriate tools for their own individual learning preferences.

In fact, many of the technologies now available have much wider application and are used effectively and productively by students and professionals across the board.  The need for all students to have access to a full range of technology for learning has been brought strongly to the fore by the current COVID crisis.

The first workshop will introduce a wide variety of mainly free and easily available assistive technology options which may be made available for students, allowing them to experiment with different means of representation and of expression as per Universal Design for Learning.

A follow up session will provide a forum for participants to share their experiences of applying the technologies in their classrooms, raising any difficulties encountered and sharing helpful practices.  Participants are asked to commit to attending both sessions.

Biography

Jane Brennan is the Enabling Transitions Facilitator for the SOAR project at IT Tralee.  Enabling Transitions works with educators in the second level and further education systems to promote the independent learning skills of students, including those with disabilities, through the use of a range of appropriate technologies.

Jane is a teacher with over 30 years experience in second level, further and higher education.

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Clare, Monaghan, Tralee and Navan Education Centres in partnership with Progressive College will be delivering a series of online live webinars for SNA'S, on a number of specific topics which will assist in further developing knowledge and skills central to their role as an SNA.  The next topic covered will be Working with the child with Sensory Processing difficulties and will take place on Tuesday 12th January at 3.30pm 

Working with the child with Sensory Processing difficulties

Topics Covered

• What are Sensory Processing difficulties 
• Characteristics of Sensory Processing difficulties 
• School life for the child with Sensory Processing difficulties 
• Strategies to support the child with Sensory Processing difficulties. 

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DATE:       Thursdays - 26th of November, 3rd December, 10th December and 17th December 2020
TIME:        7pm to 8pm 
VENUE:    Online via Zoom

This Webinar is suitable for Primary or Post Primary Teachers, Special Needs Assistants, Principals and Deputy Principals.

This webinar Series will focus on in depth exploration of CBT techniques to help with stress, low-mood, anxieties and unhelpful thinking styles.

Topic areas

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Mental Health
• Wellbeing
• Neuroscience of Stress
• CBT techniques

Primary Discussion Topics

Week One: Cognitive Techniques. Exploring unhelpful thinking styles, cognitive restructuring and other cognitive strategies to change negative thinking to more rational thinking.

Week Two: Behavioural Techniques. Exploring behavioural techniques to improve mood, enhance quality of life and change thinking patterns.

Week Three: The Mind Body Link -Relaxation and grounding exercises. Exploring the science behind the mind body link.

Week Four: Problem Solving strategies.

Learning Objectives

• Examine CBT Skills in more detail.
• Apply CBT Skills into daily lives.
• Examine the efficacy of CBT to reduce stress and improve mood.

Bio Nicola Culloty B.Ed. M.A CBT

Nicola Culloty is a primary educator with twenty years experience working with disadvantaged communities. As Home School Community Liaison she formed an authentic and lasting partnership with parents from one of the most deprived areas in Ireland. Nicola has researched the Mental Health Needs of Traveller women and is passionate about helping others to gain a greater understanding of the barriers preventing engagement.

Nicola completed a Masters in CBT and is currently practising as a CBT therapist.  She is very experienced on the impact of trauma on both adults and children and is proficient in the techniques used to overcome and assist those living with mental health issues.

As a primary school teacher Nicola is very aware of the importance of caring for our teachers and indeed, teacher’s own self care. Nicola founded Full Circle CBT in 2020. She provides webinar and on site training to teachers, service providers and agencies. She is passionate about supporting teachers in how to mind
themselves in a profession where they are faced daily with children and indeed parents who are dealing with trauma. Nicola has a particular interest in teacher wellbeing and is very aware of the impact of stress on teachers in Ireland. 

Nicola has facilitated parenting groups and worked closely with parents of children who have experienced trauma in her roles as teacher, therapist and HSCL.

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Learn about the different IPad apps and features that can be used for digital assessments. Including mark up, quiz apps, animations and grading.

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