AEN Information Sheet Thirteen: ICT and Dyspraxia

How can ICT benefit pupils with Dyspraxia?

ICT can

facilitate social interactions and communication between pupils.
offer opportunities to accommodate different learning styles.
assist pupils in learning how to be independent.
provide opportunities for pupils to work/learn at their own pace.
allow pupils to be more in control of their own learning.
assist with the production of high quality, well presented documents.
offer pupils privacy in their work - others may be less likely to see their failures, it is a non-judgemental medium.
motivate pupils to make a greater effort and provide them with extra practice to master basic skills.
give pupils instant feedback on their performance.
provide pupils with a safe environment to work in.

Guidelines

ICT should be a well-integrated element of pupil’s learning.

Computers should be readily available for the pupils with recording difficulties.
Computers should be located in close proximity to the pupil with dyspraxia and facing away from other pupils to avoid distraction.
There should be a monitoring system to check the pupil’s computer use.
An established timetable should prevent pupils remaining too long at the computer.
The tasks should be challenging and matched to pupil’s ability.

Computer assisted learning - a wide variety of programmes is available - e.g. drill and practice, problem solving games, which the teacher can integrate into various curriculum areas.

Early Learning - many multi-media CD ROM programs develop basic vocabulary, number recognition, ordering, sequencing, matching objects, phonics, memory games, problem solving etc.

Talking storybooks - talking storybooks help non-readers to read and also brings the book ‘to life’ for pupils who find reading ‘boring’.

Mathematics and games - ICT can be used to sharpen a pupil’s calculation skills, number concepts and extend what is being taught in class.

Word processing - this has been one of the most successful uses of ICT applications for pupils with dyspraxia