exemplar activities

Unit B Activity 2 - Organize the positioning of equipment - Exemplar 1

I work with a group of young children aged 3 to 7 years. The children have profound and multiple learning difficulties which include global developmental delay, restricted physical movements, limited communication and visual difficulties. In addition some also have problems with hearing.

In class the children work in specially adapted chairs, corner seats, stands and prone lying boards.

For many years the Acorn computer used by the children has been situated in a small room off the classroom. The room has a window covered with a blackout blind. It is a very quiet room and so the children have been able to work on the computer in a relatively distraction free environment. The main disadvantage, however, has been that the room is also used for storage. In one corner is a large floor to ceiling cupboard. There are numerous boxes and toys in the room and stands and wedges are kept in there when not in use. As a result it has been difficult for the children to access the computer without major furniture removals before each session. The computer sits on a height adjustable trolley, but again this has never been used to its full potential, as there has simply not been enough space for children to work in stands and corner seats.

After much thought I decided to move the computer into the main classroom and after repositioning drawer units, a play area and some storage trays I have been able to create a large area to house the Acorn computer and trolley.

In its new position I find there are four main advantages:

1. I can now take advantage of the height adjustable table. By lowering and lifting the table and by placing the monitor on either the lower shelf or table top, children working in stands, individual chairs, corner seats and wedges can all access the computer comfortably.
2. The retractable shelf can be pulled out to the full extent to give ready access to all switches and pads irrespective of size.
3. I am able to attach large black sheets to nearby equipment and create a den for children with certain visual problems who need a darker environment for enhanced colour contrast, yet ensure adequate lighting by lifting the blinds and removing the sheets for the others.
4. I can use storage shelves by the side of the computer for the peripherals not in use. This has already proved to be less distracting for a number of children. It has also made it far simpler for staff setting up programmes, as they are now able to use the mouse and keyboard without the need to navigate around a pile of clutter!

The only disadvantage noted so far is that the noise (albeit fairly low) and general activities going on in the classroom have been a little off putting for some children. I have managed to keep this to a minimum by using screens to pull around the computer.

Using the digital camera I have taken photographs of the computer and trolley in both the old and new locations.

More exemplars

This ICTS website is maintained by Inclusive Technology.