AEN Information Sheet Fifteen: ICT and Numeracy

Good practice for children with SEN in Maths will include using multi-sensory, real and manipulative resources and linking these to real life problems and experiences. ICT has a wealth of resources on offer to aid this.

The use of ICT resources in Numeracy- Some Suggestions

General guidance can be found on page 31 of the National Numeracy Strategy

Calculators and Transparent/overhead calculators
Interactive White Boards as they can be used to provide visual prompts to demonstrate processes and skills being taught
ITP’s (interactive teaching programmes for use on projectors and interactive white boards) can be found on Standards Site, PNS Wave 3 CD Rom and First Class (MAC format)
Various free/downloadable games and activities can be found on the web (see useful web sites below)
DCSF Wave 3 Maths Pack (on CD Rom) tracking back to provide opportunity to revisit concepts from earlier objectives. (www.dcsf.gov.uk)
Dyscalculia Screener NfER Nelson- computer based assessment to identify children at risk of having specific difficulties. (www.nfer-nelson.co.uk)

ICT Programs (these and others can be found on ‘Useful websites’)

Number Shark - a program to help anyone improve basic numeracy. (www.wordshark.co.uk)
Success Maker - a proven Integrated Learning System which provides individualised support in maths, reading, writing and spelling for pupils aged 5 to 14. (www.rm.com/primary/products)
Catch up in maths- a programme designed to be accessed independently by pupils, it monitors progress and allows for individualised work to be set. (www.crystalpresentations.com/products/products/current/c01052.htm)

The Internet can support mathematics teaching and learning in different ways

It allows you to:

download classroom materials such as worksheets in the form of files which may be printed out directly or edited to customise them for your own circumstances
download mathematical 'microworlds' which can be explored off-line find materials to help develop the whole school mathematics curriculum
provide resources for the enrichment of mathematics, for example, by providing access to up-to-date data or by providing the means to carry out calculations which would otherwise be too difficult.