The SELTAS Platform: Enabling innovation in special education with technology for e-learning that is collaboratively managed and collegially quality assured

Mr. Keith HUMPHREYS

Honorary International Consultant, Centre for the Advancement in Inclusive and Special Education (CAISE), The University of Hong Kong

Time: 14 June (Sat), 09:15-10:00

Medium of instruction:

English 英語

Abstract

The SELTAS project involves the teachers from twelve very different special schools to explore how information technology can inform their own professional practice as well as their students. The challenge is to meet the learning diversity of their fellow teachers as well as their students. The SAME schools involved in this unique multi focused e-learning platform identify the principals, the teachers and the students as their focus. The truly unique factor is the way the tool of information technology changes the way people learn and can selectively access a diversity of need for knowledge, with reference to volume, time and place.

We are all learners and we all have different levels of learning need that are special to ourselves. The SELTAS platform seeks to help the Principals to manage their schools with speed and clarity whilst accessing in great detail the attainment and achievement of each individual. The SELTAS platform gives teachers flexible access to the knowledge they need as each individual is ready for it. This is a unique form of learner control. Additionally the platform content will grow according to the needs of the teachers because the information technology is a living tool that in this case is collegially managed in a national and international context. The students have different levels of learning for their own special needs. The SELTAS platform seeks to help all students not matter what their ability or disability to access knowledge at the level and speed at which they are able. The student controls the technology to maximize their learning. This is a unique form of learner control and once again the platform will grow because information technology is a living tool that the teachers can sensitively manage. The success of student achievement can be shared with the parents in real life dimensions with video photographs and text. Parent’s appreciation of their children’s achievements can be enhanced as they are able to collaborate with direct educational reporting from the classroom.

This paper will highlight the objectives of the project in an academic context and indicate how all the stake holders in the education reform process can benefit from the innovation of technology for e learning that is self-controlled and collaboratively managed.

About the speaker

Keith Humphreys began his career as a teacher in different special schools in London. He spent most of his professional life as Head of The Special Education Resource Centre at the University of Northumbria in the United Kingdom. His main concern was to be at the cutting edge of innovation in schools and to work with teachers to improve their classroom practice. During his time at the university he also worked as an OFSTED government inspector of schools. He also established a charity EQUALS, to give national guidance for teachers of children and students with special education needs.

During his time at the university he worked abroad in Iceland, Israel, Malta, Norway and Denmark in consultancy and special school development roles as well as leading overseas Master’s degrees in Education research. He has published extensively in international journals and books.

For the past eight years he has been consultant and collaborator for the Systematic Approach to Mainstream Education (SAME) network for quality education, based within the Centre for Advancement of Inclusive and Special Education (CAISE) at the University of Hong Kong. There are currently twelve special schools in Hong Kong who are working with the SAME project to transform their philosophy and practice. He has been formal consultant to several major Hong Kong nationally sponsored projects and currently he is the consultant and collaborator for the SELTAS project.