Special education

As a teacher, how can you create an inclusive space for all students to thrive? In this article, Sue Pickett, Additional Needs Coordinator at Eltham High School in Victoria, shares five tips for structuring your classroom and lesson so that it is accessible for all students, including those with additional needs.

One of the most popular Teacher articles of all time includes a section on looking at things from a student perspective – for example, checking to see if they have an obstructed view of the board. As a teacher, you also need to be thinking about possible issues with students’ eyesight. Two recent studies from different parts of the world explore the topic of vision screening in schools.

‘Let’s face it, when cooperative learning, in the form of group or teamwork appears on the classroom agenda, most students utter a groan of discontent.’ Dr Karin Oerlemans discusses the key steps to a successful experience, and how they can be supported by technology.

A study has followed primary school teachers through an entire school year to document how they taught mathematics to be inclusive of children with Down syndrome. The findings have been published in the Mathematics Education Research Journal, and in today’s podcast we find out more from the report’s co-author, Associate Professor Rhonda Faragher.

‘The underachievement of gifted and high-achieving students is, in part, propagated by the dangerous myth that they will succeed regardless.’ In this reader submission, Gifted and Talented Coordinator Michelle Lucas looks at some of the misconceptions.

An article published in the Journal of Professional Learning explores practical strategies teachers can implement in their classroom to support students with autism. The strategies include managing the physical environment of the classroom, the benefits of using visuals and treating changes in routine.

‘For some, this transition will be filled with as much anxiety as the first day of school or the school year.’ In this reader submission, Dr Carl Leonard and Dr Gail Brown provide tips and suggestions for teachers and leaders to help manage the transition for all students, and particularly those with additional needs.

According to research from Vision Australia, only 24 per cent of blind or low vision people living in Australia are in full time employment. A new tool, which assists visually impaired students learn to code, aims to help increase this employment figure.

Understanding the challenges, as well as the strengths of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can assist teachers to address their needs in an inclusive way. Here, we take a look at five further readings on the topic.

St Paul’s College’s new campus in Melbourne is transforming the education of students with additional needs. In this photo story, we take a closer look at some of the learning spaces, and hear from the principal and architect about what’s behind the design.