Author: AccessAbility Smyles

As an SEN Consultant with Tablet Academy for a number of years now I have come to respect and value what Steve says . He is a visionary in the world of educational ICT. I still prefer to call it that – especially as an ex-ICT SEN Advisor where much of my work involved helping those with communication disabilities communicate. But what Steve says here resonates with what others are thinking and saying – this pandemic changes everything forever. It’s a message we have to get use to now. New ways of working will come out of this silver cloud. Let Steve explain:-

http://ow.ly/fzvN50z665p

Another article of note before I do go to bed at last is this article from Flipboard I read . It’s good background information on the platforms ethos and progress

All Eyes On Zoom: How The At-Home Era’s Breakout Tool Is Coping With Surging Demand — And Scrutiny

In doing something of an all-nighter ( sleepless) I came across this article by an academic about the current crisis and thought it useful for all of us at this time

https://www.chronicle.com/article/Why-You-Should-Ignore-All-That/248366/#.XoPvH3FVrOh.facebook

Every Friday at 11:00am GMT I will be doing a 15 min session on answering technical and computer related problems. This is not so much assistive technology but basic information technology related questions. Last week we answered the question ” Why is my computer so slow?” And some possible reasons for this. I can’t and wouldn’t claim to know it all. I would be a “know-it-all” if I did! What the aim of the series is to provide help in our very unusual circumstances where people are having to think differently – think Techsavvy – about the way they work, communicate and connect with the world.

Here is the link for when we go live – Every Friday, 11:00am-11:15am

https://www.facebook.com/myles.pilling

Wyvern Business have produced this helpful guide to working at home. https://lnkd.in/dUJQ_6S

All of a sudden parents, teachers and children are having to cope with the new reality of being at home all the time. For those with special needs it is especially difficult for the following reasons:-

• school routines gone
• restricted movement
• difficult in cognitively understanding what it is all about
• not knowing when the end will occur

Undoubtably, this places stress on everyone. Here are a few tips that may help.

1. Establish daily routines – with a mix of the following – short brief sessions of
   1. Daily lessons – depending on concentration spans – maybe 20-30 min sessions with frequent changes . This is usually best done in the mornings when the children are more receptive.
   2. Intersperse with play activities using the words ” First work, then play”
   3. Make it fun – do physical games , board and card games, whatever you child likes
2. Creative and Physical Activities – this usually happens in the afternoons and can make for longer project sessions. Youtube is a great source of ideas. But incoporate a long walk into it. Maybe 45- 60 mins even if it’s just round the block it will allow much need exercise and oxygen to enter the blood stream
   1. Make things out of junk
   2. Write a play or act out a story
   3. Use apps and other online methods
   4. Draw and paint from still life
   5. Gardening – teaches science, plant growth, nature – birds, butterflies ( as summer comes)
   6. Cooking – provide opportunities for Maths and Science
   7. … and much, much more.

Above all, keep a sense of humour. As a parent or paid carer or just a friend these days can be long – very long without structure. So make a visual timetable. Make cards that can taken down and put up. Allow one ” surprise ” activity in a day. This could be a way to cope with unexpected change which in most cases be difficult for children. But turn it around into a positive:-

” OK, we are not going to the park today because…….. so instead we have a surprise! It’s going to be your favourite film, story, songs, etc. ”

As the main source of all things – energy, knowledge, manager, disciplinarian, general dogs body and gofor person- you will need to keep your physical and mental strength up. Have down times. Short periods of being alone, quiet, even rest periods for your child if they are young where you can get on or I recommend doing at least one thing for YOU – and you alone in the day that can make you feel a person and not a activities co-ordinator.

In effect this lockdown will restrict what you can do and getting angry and frustrated over not getting work or jobs done will communicate to your child that you “have more important things to do” and make them kick off to get your attention.

Best to accept that you can’t work and look after the kids. That your child will not occupy themselves for long without someone getting hurt or upset. Best to keep the show rolling. Share the load with your partner or better still some help and support from friends, support assistants and personal assistants if any of that is possible so that you can do the work you feel you need to do.

Finally , what inspired me to write this today is that I came across this article. Although American it does have advice that is relevant in the UK and Europe, etc. Follow the link below. I hope this has been helpful. I hope to put some resources and ideas out there over the next few days and weeks to help from an ICT point of view. Always know – you are not alone, even though it feels like it!

In these troubling times it has highlighted some important skills we need in order to communicate from Isolation. I thought it might be good to have a Facebook Live video session. Not only is that modelling the walk but also giving some people a chance to share what Tech problems they are having. Hoping to present a jargon free environment for people to ask their questions. Each Friday at 11:00am GMT time we will take one particular item and answer that and then see if there are any other questions. Join us on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/mylespilling.

At a time when it’s needed most …

www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52021756