Please send replies to this call for help to the e-mails below.....

TECHNOLOGY AND LEARNERS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
CALL FOR INFORMATION AND HELP

TechDis and Learning and Skills Development Agency are working together to
find out where and how technology is being used to enhance and support the
learning experiences of students with learning difficulties and
disabilities.

TechDis is a Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) funded service
supporting the further and higher education community in all aspects of
technology and disabilities and/or learning difficulties and LSDA is a
strategic national resource for the development of policy and practice in
post-16 education and training. Together we are looking for really exciting,
innovative and interesting practice in using ICT. We are NOT looking for
just another set of ‘worksheets on computer’ however beautifully produced.
Nor are we looking for assistive technology – there is already extensive
information in the TechDis Accessibility Database, which can be found at
http://www.techdis.ac.uk/access.html.

What do we want to know?
We are looking for innovative uses of technology that promote learning, such
as:
· Imaginative uses of games technologies
· Multimedia that helps learners develop concepts
· Virtual environments of all kinds
· Teleconferencing and Videoconferencing
· Mobile phones & learning through text messaging
· Other cutting edge technologies e.g. bluetooth

We also want to know what works and why. We are interested in:
· Software - where, why and how you have used it
· Digital learning materials
· Pedagogical models and frameworks using ICT
· Projects – current and recent work
· Case studies etc.
Often we have found that it is not so much the product, as the imaginative
way in which it is being used that makes the difference.

Why do we want to know?
We recognise that the use of technology as a ‘tool for learning’ is a
developing area. We believe that examples exist of imaginative and
innovative use of ICT with people with learning difficulties, including
those with the most profound and complex needs. Currently, these examples
are not widely known and tend to be in isolated pockets.

We are concerned that there is a gap in terms of pedagogy, ICT and learners
with learning difficulties. As a first step to filling this gap, we want to
find out what is already in use and what is being developed and/or piloted
at present. We hope eventually to compile a database of good practice that
can be shared widely and will hopefully be used to stimulate even more
ideas.

What happens next?
Once we have received your examples and ideas, we intend to organise
regional focus groups to examine and discuss the findings in more detail.
This may lead on to a more extensive survey as well as the development of a
database of good practice that will be freely available to the entire
sector.

What should you do now?
Very simple. Let us know your ideas, suggestions and examples. We’ll do
the rest. You can contact us by phone, fax, e-mail or letter. Please don’t
hesitate to contact us, even if you’re not absolutely certain what we want.
We’d love to talk to you anyway! Please respond by 13th May at the latest.

TechDis
Phone: 01904 754539 (Ask for Trish Black)
Fax: 01904 754599 (For the attention of Trish Black)
E-mail: [log in to unmask]


Learning and Skills Development Agency
Phone: 0207 2979035 (Ask for Elicia Wilson)
Fax: 0207 2979191 (For the attention of Elicia Wilson)
E-mail: [log in to unmask]


Best wishes
E.A.


Mrs E.A. Draffan,
TechDis Accessibility Database, USIE,
Education Development Building,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RG
Tel: 01273 873600
http://www.techdis.ac.uk