Providing quality education for students with special needs
The Distance Education Support Unit (DESU) provides quality programs for students with an intellectual disability, who are unable to attend school in a face-to-face setting. We recognise that every one of our students is unique and requires a highly individualised program. Our professional, creative and talented team of special educators deliver innovative and flexible learning experiences tailored to students' specific needs in a range of learning environments. Using an extensive range of resources and technologies, students are often able to achieve beyond expectations. Our parent/tutors are essential to the success of our programs.
Innovations at the DESU
We are...
- Trialling innovative technologies, including blogs for students and providing access to learning materials via the internet
- Investigating Web 0.2 tools that help students connect, organise and create
- Providing satellite lessons for eligible students
- Using ooVoo and Skype video chats to give students and tutors faster feedback and scaffold new learning
- Opening up new, diverse and flexible learning opportunities for students with a set of iPads
- Increasing student independence for communication in the community, utilising text to speech programs, iPods, iPads and voice output devices
- Using the Nintendo Wii as a means of developing fitness and coordination through virtual games
- Supporting programs using an exciting array of resources such as stimulating sensory equipment for students with high support needs
- Expanding interactive lessons with teachers via the internet and through educational software
Exciting use of iPad!
In 2011 we gratefully received a number of iPads this term from Rural and Distance Education. We have added them to our growing library of student resources.