New website for young learners of English as an Additional Language

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Shirley Lawson

Have a look at this fun website Anglomaniacy. It has word games, quizzes, songs, printable worksheets and other resources for parents/carers and teachers.

This is a website produced in Poland with a great variety of resources for vocabulary and grammar for all pupils learning English. There are interactive grammar games to reinforce patterns and these are accompanied by a Polish translation. There are good worksheets and games to help teach Christmas language.

A Polish version of the text is also available at the click of a button so it supports bilingualism and would be useful for parents to use at home.

For lots more resources to support young learners of English as an Additional Language, check out Janet Storey’s excellent website here.

Dyslexia fact of the day….

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Shirley Lawson

Over 50% of NASA employees are dyslexic. They are deliberately sought after because they have superb problem solving skills and excellent 3D and spatial awareness.

W i d e r s p a c i n g can help dyslexic pupils

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Shirley Lawson

Spreading the letters of words a bit farther apart helps dyslexic kids read more quickly and make fewer mistakes as they read, a new study shows. ( Read the full report here )

While the strategy isn’t a cure for dyslexia, which causes the brain to process information differently, researchers say it may help some children with the condition to read more easily, a key to helping them become better readers and learners overall.

Therapists agree that one of the best long-term remedies for the reading difficulties of dyslexia is practice. But because reading is so frustrating for these children, practice is often a tough sell.

“The consequence is that children with dyslexia read very, very little. We give the comparison that a child with dyslexia reads in a year what a normal reader reads in two days,” says researcher Johannes C. Ziegler, PhD, director of research in the cognitive psychology laboratory at Aix-Marseille University in Marseille, France.

East Lothian teachers can access more information and useful resources to support pupils with dyslexia at the Additional Support Needs Info Hub. (http://asnhub.edubuzz.org – Google Apps log in required).

East Lothian Support for Learning Conference 13 – 15 June

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Shirley Lawson

On the 13th – 15th of June, support for learning teachers from across the authority will gather for a conference in Haddington. The theme of the event is supporting pupils in mainstream classes. The wide and varied programme includes sessions delivered by staff from our school as well as presentations from Dr Margaret Crombie on Dyslexia and Moira Park, DHT at New Struan School. The conference also offers teachers an opportunity to share ideas and issues away from the demands of school.

For further information, contact Linda Gaughan lgaughan@eastlothian.gov.uk

ICT and Inclusion Day at CALL – June 14

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Shirley Lawson

Coming to Edinburgh in June 2012 ICT and Inclusion is Scotland’s leading annual exhibition with a focus on the use of ICT to support learners with additional suppport needs. This year’s roadshows are being held at CALL Scotland, University of Edinburgh, 14th June CALL Scotland and BRITE, the organisers of the event, have arranged for up to 25 of the UK’s leading suppliers of software and technology to support students with additional support needs to take part in the exhibition and to give a short presentation on their latest products.

There will also be short presentations by staff from BRITE, CALL and local schools, colleges and services, illustrating the use of technology to support learning. Equipment and software on display may be of interest to adults with disabilities and the people who support them. It’s Free! The days are free to attend and run from 8.45 until 4 pm. Lunch is provided for people who book in advance.

There will be a prize draw at the end of each day, with prizes including software, iPad apps and other worthwhile items. Make sure you stay until the end of the day to have a chance to win a prize!

Book online at www.ictandinclusion.org.uk

New accessibililty features in Google Apps

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Shirley Lawson

Google has recently made some important accessibility enhancements within Google Apps for Education.
Google Docs and Google Sites have new keyboard shortcuts and better screen reader support with support for two screen readers: JAWS and ChromeVox. Members of the blind community can now use JAWS, VoiceOver and ChromeVox within Google Calendars to manage your calendars, create and edit events or simply browse your events.

For more information on Accessibility within Google go to http://www.google.com/accessibility/

Autism Film Club – free viewings

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Shirley Lawson

To celebrate World Autism Awareness Month in April, Ambitious about Autism is bringing some of the best and most recent films about autism straight to your computer screen. The programme will feature four online film screenings on our website during April 2012. Click here to get the Autism Film club password to see the films.

The two remaining films to be shown are:

Animating Autism

USA / 2011 / colour / not rated / 63 mins: Streaming on Wednesday 18 April 2012

Animating Autism is a feature length documentary on autism that follows seven individuals on the spectrum as they collaborate to create a short animated film. The documentary follows them as they learn how to turn their sketches into movies and form lasting friendships.

Loving Lamposts

USA / 2011 / colour / not rated / 84 mins: Streaming on our website on Wednesday 25 April 2012

In Loving Lampposts, we witness this debate and meet the parents, doctors, therapists, and autistic people who are redefining autism at a moment when it’s better known than ever before. Motivated by his son’s diagnosis, filmmaker Todd Drezner explores the changing world of autism and learns the truth of the saying, “if you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person.”

ICT and Inclusion Day at CALL Centre, 14th June

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Shirley Lawson

Can you vouch for the fact that using ICT to support pupils with additional support needs in your class/school is making a difference? Would you be prepared to share your story with other practioners?

The CALL Centre (based at Moray House, University of Edinburgh) are looking for one East Lothian school to give a 30 minute presentation at their ICT and Inclusion Day on the 14th June, illustrating how ICT (software or hardware) has been used to help pupils with additional support needs in the school. Teachers are welcome to involve a small number of pupils in the presentation, if this is appropriate. Please contact Allan Wilson allan.wilson@ed.ac.uk or call him on 0131 651 6068.

Not sure if you want to do a presentation but would like to share your story less formally? Email Shirley Lawson for a chat. slawson@eastlothian.gov.uk

Windows 7 Accessiblity Guide

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Shirley Lawson

Windows 7 Accessibility Guide

Microsoft has incuded a range of accessibility features (Accessibility Options) in its operating systems since 2005. Windows 7 has many improved features and a change of name from Accessibility Options to Ease of Access Centre. These features provide a valuable and often overlooked method of supporting learners with additional support needs. Built in accessibility tools include Narrator (text to speech) and Magnifier (enlarges information on the screen)

Craig Mills at CALL Scotland has produced this excellent, informative guide – thank you!

Choosing activities at the Hub

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Shirley Lawson

Jonathon listened to the audio then made his choice…”Where is the apple?” Rachel used a switch to do the same activity. Great excitement when the right image was selected and the reward music and flashing lights was played! Easy to make activities using Choose-it Maker 2 software.

Images created by Ivan Marah, 4th year work placement student from Dunbar Grammar. Software activity by Jane MacDonald.

Support for All

Support for learners in East Lothian