Sound and Picture Project
‘Sound and picture’- Using ICT as a communication tool for learners with multiple disabilities and a visual impairment (MDVI).
Foreword
The thinking behind this project started in 2008, thanks to on-going relations and communication with existing members of the MDVI Euronet group and with Sweden paving the way. Two years later, following a successful application for a two-year funding under Comenius, 10 countries have embarked on this project.
These are: Northern Ireland (co-ordinating organisation), Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Latvia, Italy, Lithuania, Norway and Ireland.
Rationale for the project
The International Council for the Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) (1999) defines children with MDVI as individuals with: "multiple disabilities, including visual impairment, requiring a specialised approach, equipment, an individualised tailored curriculum and a uniquely individual approach."
It is therefore important to recognise at a very early stage the challenging needs of such children, not only with regard to the impact vision loss has on their learning but also the extent to which they may be disengaged with their surroundings.
Like their sighted peers, children and young people with MDVI are entitled to express themselves, communicate their feelings, make choices and have a voice. Yet, due to the nature and complexity of their needs, using other senses to compensate for lack of sight, performing at a non-verbal level, can lead them to be withdrawn, isolated, introvert, communicate through challenging behaviour, it is vital we find a way to enter the world of the MDVI child, help him/her reconnect with it, find that special key that will unlock the child and make him/her an active, motivated and independent learner with high self-esteem.
In addition to existing methodologies fostering communication and language acquisition processing, is it possible that a pupil-led use of ICT can also be a useful tool to unlock the MDVI child? Can the computer be used as a tool to pave the way to communication? Can it provide us with the key?
Target Group
Children with MDVI (from severe and complex to additional support needs, from early years to young adults).
Project aims
This project has two main aims:
• to empower educators in MDVI by developing modes of communication for these children through the use of non-commercialised, sound and picture based educational resources which can be used right across the curriculum;
• to empower and enable children to play a more active role in their own learning by developing a means of communication through which they can express their thoughts, wants and needs thus fostering a sense of self-esteem, motivation and control. Resources will contain freeware, MP3 audio recordings, digital pictures and movies. They will be trialled, evaluated and modified as required by each partner.
These individualised resources will enable children with MDVI to develop an awareness that communication is reciprocal, thus enhancing skills of choice making, independence and thereby fostering inclusion.
Each partner will work collaboratively to produce a DVD containing freeware instructions and exemplars of produced resources with a view to develop good practice at national, European and international levels.
Project work
In year one of the project, participants have received training in the use of free software, available from the internet, namely: audacity, audiograbber, video converter, photofiltre.
These have enabled us to make high quality voice/sound recordings in MP3 format, use high resolution video clips and photos. Sounds and pictures were then transferred into Powerpoint presentations which can be accessed by a given pupil as per his/her individual needs: switch, concept keyboard, computer keyboard, touch screen.
In preparing these tailor-made educational resources, project participants have emphasised the need for learners to drive such project activities with adults being a facilitator in use of technology for instance. In order to ensure pupils take the lead, we have adopted the 5-step model (initiated in ImPAct MDVI project 2003-2006) as a parallel support material to plan pupil profiles and the design of a chosen activity.
Activities produced to dates range from: advent calendars, talking photo albums, sequencing of mobility route and pottery workshop, ‘fun with food’-sharing a school activity with home and respite, self-access touch typing tutorial, preparing for work experience/interview skills tutorials.
Sharing our good practice
For the sake of this project and the size of resources created, project partners are using eTwinning and storegate facilities at present to archive the work that has been created. When the project concludes, a website and CD-Rom will be available for further consultation.
The project members also have a poster for dissemination purposes and are planning to write articles for professional journals.
