Special Education Needs & Tiny Tablets

Touch screen tables can have a significant impact on the development of children with special educational needs (SEN).

These tables offer an interactive experience that can help students with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, ADHD, mobility difficulties, communication difficulties, and those who are nonverbal to engage with learning in a comfortable way. Touch screen technology can benefit students with SEN in several key areas, including communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design. By using touch screen tables in special education needs settings, we can help students feel more involved, part of the class, and have the ability to learn more effectively. Touch screen technology has the potential to ignite children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, building their capacity to learn, form relationships, and thrive.

CASE STUDY: WOODLANDS MEED SEN COLLEGE

Written by Lead Teacher, Gail Gale.

INDIVIDUAL CASE STUDIES

STUDENT T

T has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. T has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy.

His fine and gross motor skills are significantly under developed.

Using the Tiny Tablet has meant that he can participate in all class activities, many of which involve using a tablet. He has been able to work and play with other members of his peer group and demonstrate his progress far more effectively than previously.

The size and robustness of the tablet as well as its accessibility means that he can use it without fear of damaging it and he has a far more substantial area to work within. It has been particularly useful during maths.

Many of the plenary sessions are carried out using games and T can now access these and demonstrate a more accurate reflection of his knowledge.

STUDENT N

N has significantly delayed expressive and receptive language and learning skills.

N has embraced the use of the Tiny Tablet whole-heartedly. She requests to use it at every opportunity and enjoys finding the pages she wants through speech accessibility. Her literacy skills do not allow her to use technology without this, but she has managed to work out for herself how to access it on the Tiny Tablet.

She uses the technology as a self-regulation tool. She will not leave the classroom so often if she can use the tablet. She cooperates with peers to play games and do mindfulness colouring. The size of the screen means that 2 or 3 students at once can access an activity and collaborate about how they will proceed. This enables decision-making and team working. Both of which are areas of development for N.

STUDENT C

A student in my class has been using the Tiny Tablet regularly as part of her communication and maths sessions.

This student is not able to enjoy the use of a regular sized tablet, her fleeting visual attention lessening her awareness of cause and effect. On the tiny tablet she is able to recognise when her action has had an impact, reaching out again and again to take part in a colour changing game.

This student is also now able to take part in activities with a classmate in a meaningful collaboration on the Tiny Tablet, showing acceptance of others’ contributions.

She clearly enjoys using the tablet, showing anticipation of familiar games and, at one point, saying the word “music” to comment on what she was experiencing. The sensory possibilities for her on this large scale tablet have opened up opportunities to communicate, collaborate with others and enjoy focusing on an activity in which she can have full control.

As we continue to work with her we will introduce her to new apps, challenging her to generalise the skill she has already gained, and providing her more opportunities to work with others and communicate her experience.

Using a Tiny Tablet Touch Screen Activity Table to Support a Student with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects the motor skills of those who have it. Students with cerebral palsy often face challenges in participating in class activities that involve the use of tablets or other devices. This is where a Tiny Tablet touch screen activity table can be a valuable tool for students like Student T.

Student T has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, and his fine and gross motor skills are significantly underdeveloped. However, with the use of the Tiny Tablet, he can now participate in all class activities that involve using a tablet. He can work and play with other members of his peer group, and demonstrate his progress far more effectively than before.

The Tiny Tablet is the perfect size for Student T, and its robustness means that he can use it without fear of damaging it. The touch screen technology also means that he has a more substantial area to work within, which has been particularly useful during maths lessons.

One of the most significant benefits of using the Tiny Tablet with Student T is that he can now access plenary sessions that are carried out using games. He can demonstrate a more accurate reflection of his knowledge, and feel more involved and part of the class.

There are also several beneficial apps available that can be used with a Tiny Tablet to support students with cerebral palsy. These apps can help with communication, cognitive skills, and motor skills development. Some recommended apps include:

Beneficial Apps

•Proloquo2Go: an app that supports communication for those who are nonverbal or have difficulty speaking.

•Choiceworks: an app that helps with visual scheduling and understanding of daily routines.

•Dexteria Dots: an app that helps with fine motor skills development.

In conclusion, using a Tiny Tablet touch screen activity table has been a game-changer for Student T, allowing him to participate in class activities and demonstrate his progress more effectively. With the added benefit of beneficial apps, touch screen technology can be a powerful tool to support students with cerebral palsy and other special educational needs.

How Using a Tiny Tablet Touch Screen Activity Table Can Help Students with Down Syndrome

Students with Down syndrome often face challenges in traditional classroom settings, but technology can be a powerful tool to support their learning. A Tiny Tablet touch screen activity table, in particular, can provide several benefits for students with Down syndrome, such as improved visual learning, accessibility, and engagement. In this post, we’ll explore how using a Tiny Tablet can help students with Down syndrome, and recommend some beneficial apps that can assist their learning.

Visual Learning and Accessibility

Students with Down syndrome tend to be visual learners, meaning they learn best through visual aids and images. The touch screen technology of a Tiny Tablet provides an ideal platform for visual learning, allowing students to interact with educational content in a highly visual and engaging way. Additionally, many students with Down syndrome live with poor eyesight, making it challenging to read small text or view small images. The large screen of a Tiny Tablet can help to overcome this barrier, making educational content more accessible and inclusive.

Engagement

The interactive nature of a Tiny Tablet touch screen activity table can also help to engage students with Down syndrome. Traditional classroom activities can often feel repetitive or unengaging, leading to disinterest or disengagement. However, the use of a Tiny Tablet can help to break up monotony and add variety to classroom activities. This can help students to feel more involved and included in the learning process.

Beneficial Apps

Several apps are available that can assist the learning of students with Down syndrome, and these can be used in conjunction with a Tiny Tablet touch screen activity table. Here are some recommended apps:

iCommunicate: an app that supports communication and social skills development.

See.Touch.Learn.: an app that helps with memory and learning, using visual and auditory prompts.

Todo Math: an app that helps with math skills development, using interactive games and activities.

A Tiny Tablet touch screen activity table can be an excellent tool to support the learning of students with Down syndrome. The device’s large screen and touch screen technology can improve accessibility and engagement, while beneficial apps can assist in areas such as communication, memory, and math skills development. By using technology to support the learning of students with Down syndrome, we can help them to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

Using a Tiny Tablet Touch Screen Activity Table to Support a Student living with Autism

Autism is a condition that affects individuals in a variety of ways. Some common characteristics of autism include difficulties with communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. These challenges can make learning in a traditional classroom setting particularly difficult for students with autism. However, the use of a Tiny Tablet touch screen activity table can help to create a more positive and inclusive learning environment for students with autism.

One of the main challenges faced by students with autism is difficulty with communication. This can make it challenging for them to engage in class discussions, ask questions, or express their thoughts and feelings. However, the use of a touch screen activity table can provide an alternative means of communication. Students can use the touch screen to express themselves visually, using images or symbols to convey their thoughts and ideas. This can help to break down communication barriers and facilitate more effective communication between the student and their teacher and peers.

Another challenge faced by students with autism is social interaction. They may struggle with social cues and find it difficult to interact with their peers. However, using a Tiny Tablet touch screen activity table can help to promote social interaction in a way that is comfortable for the student. They can work collaboratively with their peers on group projects, sharing ideas and information using the touch screen. This can help to develop social skills and improve their confidence in social situations.

Repetitive behaviors are also common in students with autism. These behaviors can sometimes be disruptive in a traditional classroom setting, but the use of a touch screen activity table can provide an outlet for these behaviors. For example, a student who likes to tap their fingers or make repetitive movements with their hands can use the touch screen to engage in these behaviors in a way that is not disruptive to others. This can help to create a more peaceful and productive learning environment for everyone.

Additionally, the visual nature of touch screen activity tables can be particularly beneficial for students with autism, as many are visual learners. The use of images, videos, and other visual aids can help to reinforce learning and make it easier for students to understand and remember new information. This can help to boost their confidence and engagement in the learning process.

The use of a Tiny Tablet touch screen activity table can be a valuable tool for assisting the learning of students with autism. It can help to create a happier and more inclusive learning environment, provide an alternative means of communication, promote social interaction, provide an outlet for repetitive behaviours, and facilitate visual learning. By incorporating touch screen technology into the classroom, we can help to support the unique learning needs of students with autism and promote their academic success.