Portfolio activity 6 Using ICT in Geography
with pupils with SEN
Pupil 1- David
SpLD
Pupil 2 – Max
EBD
Summary of needs
David
Poor literacy and oracy
Low level of concentration. Stage 5 on
statement register.
Good attendance, nice attitude. Keen to
learn
Max
Poor attendance, aggressive attitude
sometimes, poor literacy skills but good
oracy
Geographical and ICT learning objectives for the lessons
Geographical
Investigate the impact of the eruption of
Mount St Helen’s on the local area of the
Cascade Mountains in Washington state.
ICT
 Use of video to show eruption
 Use of satellite photograph on
OHT from CD Rom to show the
extent of the ash cloud
 Use of pre-prepared newspaper
article (my own) to give an
example of the work that could be
produced (see attached sheet)
 Use of word processor to create a
newspaper article
 Use of spell checker to improve
literacy presentation
 Experience a different experience
in writing in Geography
The topic covered a series of lessons. It was preceded by an introductory lesson on
volcanoes- definitions etc and a brainstorming activity and a discussion of what might
happen during an eruption.
The concept of Mount St. Helen’s eruption was introduced via video footage.
Students took notes in their exercise books using prompts:





What was it like before the eruption
What did the eruption look like
What happened during the eruption?
What was the area like after the eruption?
What did people do to reduce the effect of the eruption?
The video was stopped several times and data collated as a class.
My newspaper article was shown to them and we discussed e.g. using headlines,
large words etc to catch peoples’ eye. The Special Needs Assistant ( SNA) brought
examples of articles with her from the Daily Mail to show students. Beginnings of
articles were discussed i.e. to catch people’s interest.
A large A3 sheet of paper with a newspaper format was given to students for them to
start writing their article on by hand.
The class transferred to an IT room for 3 lessons to produce the work on a word
processor. In order to keep it simple MS Word was used when difficulties arose with
publisher. A simple table format was used and fonts changed (size and type) and a
newspaper report was used.
Response of the students to the topic.
Positive. Interest in volcanoes (‘ trendy’ Geography) obvious by number of questions
asked about the video and keen to write the newspaper. The one presented by me gave
them some starting ideas and then prompt sentences (along writing frame lines) were
provided for David. He was tempted to just copy mine. SNA provide guidance and
support.
Max reacted very positively. Again interest in the topic and the way of writing.
Response of the pupils to use of ICT.
Again positive because it was different to normal and I think they had not been given
the chance to do this in other lessons outside formal ICT lessons. Guidance was
provided on the use of word and print preview used to gauge appearance of work.
Both boys worked quietly and diligently for the two lessons and showed real interest
in producing a good piece of work.
Evaluation of using ICT
Video:
Shows real events well and makes it more real for the students. Can be broken down
into small tasks
Computers:
Trust had been built up with the class- they were looking forward to using the
computers. All students worked really hard. The two boys produced good work
showing understanding and basic word processing skills. They saw the spell check as
an added bonus.
Although only simple ICT skills were used, it gave them an extra focus and removed
the problem of presentation and spelling problems usually associated with their work.
Improvements for next time:
Create a file on the network of pictures from the eruption that the students can use to
cut and paste into their articles. (Internet or CD Rom)
Use the Internet to search for other information on volcanoes as an introductory
activity with a prompt sheet so that they do not get distracted. Only look at certain
sheets
DAILY STAR
Monday 21st May 1981
Violent volcano causes death and destruction
A large volcano erupted today
causing death and destruction in
Washington state, USA.
The volcano called Mt.
St.Helen’s had not erupted for
hundreds of years, when all of a
sudden on Sunday morning, it
blew its top.
Ash and rocks everywhere.
Millions of tonnes of rock
exploded and were thrown up
into the air. Ash and rocks fell
everywhere. A huge ash cloud
rolled down the mountain killing
anything in its path.
A young couple camping 15 miles
away were saved by a tree that
covered them and protected them
from the blast of the volcano. Their
friends were not so lucky- they were
killed in the blast.
Scientists had noticed rumblings
underneath the surface and had
put a five-mile exclusion zone
around the volcano. All but two
people who lived near it had
moved out of harms way.
Tree destroyed
Exclusion zone not big
enough.
But when the volcano erupted,
the explosion and damage was
much further than they had
thought.
Millions of trees were destroyedblown down and burnt by the
explosion.
Another couple camping thirty miles
away described their experience as
terrifying when a flood hit their
camp, sweeping them both away. The
volcano had melted the glacier on top
of it and caused the water to mix with
the ash and make a river of mud. The
couple eventually reached safety and
were taken to hospital.
Satellite image of Mt. St. Helen’s erupting,
May 1981