World without boundaries

This is story is a good example of how two different type of groups can work together and create something special.

TeacherTarja Tolonen

LanguageEnglish

CountryFinlandno-country

School levelVocational school

WHAT DID YOU DO?

I had two different groups that did a project together. Students studying ict and students with special educational needs: they need support in learning, communicating and understanding and they are studying in Preparatory training for work and independent living (TELMA). They were thinking about world without boundaries – accessible world for everyone. We had some material about what accessibility actually means in practice. Students got together this idea about where to go if world would be accessible, if they could choose freely  themselves  - whatever they wanted and maybe even had been dreaming about. This conversation had other goals as well. At the same time students were practicing of social communication with different type of people, with different abilities. Most of the special needs’ students use communication that supports speech so in that sense this kind of conversation with main stream students was very important and valuable.

HOW DID YOU DO IT?

ICT-students were using iPads to film special needs’ students. Students told about places where they woul like to go and this happened in front of Green Screen. Green Sreen is a background that can be changed according to subject. Students chose a picture of the place they wanted to visit and wrote the name of that place on their iPads. ICT-students were directors and helped to make videos. The apps they were using on iPad were Screen bu Do inc and iMovie. They finished the project on PC with Final Cut Pro. The video can be found on YouTube and it also won 1st prize in competition called Limitless.

WHY WERE TABLETS USED/WAS IT BENEFICIAL?

iPads were used because they are handy tools to create concrete results. Students with special needs are also familiar with iPads because they use those devices every day in their studies. With iPads sudents with special needs were able to tell and share their own dreams.

HOW DID IT SUPPORT INCLUSIVE TEACHING?

There was two different type of groups: one from main stream side and one with special needs. In the beginning the co-operation and communication was careful, everything was new and there was also some prejudices and stereotypes to come over. But as a teacher I was happy to follow how their co-operation shaped and communication started to reach new, creative  ways. Both student groups were satisfied with the project in the end and they all felt that they had learned something new and valuable. The positive impact on self-esteem was also one result I am very proud of.

Back to success stories