Digital ways of teaching children with differences

A Queensland woman is giving children with difficulties more opportunities in the classroom and it's all thanks to the power of ICT.

Blackwater's advisory visiting teacher (AVT) Jo McCabe is changing the face of traditional lessons opting for the latest technology to enhance her students' learning experiences.

The ICT Pedagogical Licence holder said that while hard work, her job was incredibly rewarding.

'Before I get to work with them, a lot of my student's are really struggling, especially in the classroom,' says Mrs McCabe.

'School can be very challenging for children with difficulties.

'But once we get started I notice a big change ... they are a lot more engaged and take a lot more interest in school lessons.

'ICT really improves a child's ability to process information.'

Working with 39 students from six Queensland schools, Mrs McCabe's AVT role requires her to support teachers, students and parents of children with difficulties.

This involves investigating everything from the ergonomics to the resources available, and the possible impacts on her students while in the classroom.

She currently has students at Bluff, Dingo, Blackwater, Woorabinda and Duaringa State Schools, and at the Wadja Wadja Community High School.

'We then all work together to improve the student's time at school and their learning abilities,' Mrs McCabe explained.

'For children with speech problems this may mean recording a story rather than reading to them or for kids with hearing impairments, it may be a case of getting the teacher and student to wear special headpieces.'