Special Schools Programmes

Working with digital media presents education with diverse ways in which children and young people can learn and think creatively. The wide range of tools on offer can be utilised to develop, express and communicate ideas in new and exciting ways. Making digital stories and short films, creating animations, composing and writing lyrics with music and visuals – all these activities are now made possible in the classroom through digital media. Any of our programmes can be tailored to the schools' individual needs and the varying abilities of pupils. It is suggested that programmes begin with professional development sessions for teachers and are followed up with in-school support with pupils.

Digital Storytelling
Many schools have dedicated their entire staff to digital storytelling training to introduce teachers to new ICT skills including digital photography and using digital storytelling software to combine pictures, text, music and narration into a digital story or presentation. These new skills can be used in the classroom for digital storytelling projects, learning materials for pupils, or for making media-rich pupil profiles.

Digital Video Production
Digital video production involves learning how to storyboard an idea for a short video, use a digital video camera and equipment and editing video footage on the computer into a finished piece. Many teachers of special needs found these skills useful for making ‘how to' videos that can be used with pupils, for example how to make a cup of tea, how to make a purchase, how to count in twos, or how grow a plant. Some schools have received video editing training for pupils to edit footage taken on school trips or events into a short video complete with music, titles and credits.

CCEA's GCSE Occupational Studies in Digital Media
Some special schools have introduced new qualifications in digital media to their school. CCEA's Occupational Studies Units in Digital Media offer pupils a hands-on approach to learning new skills such as video production, graphic design, digital music composition and website design. We can assist teachers delivering any of these units through technical training, lesson plans, or software and equipment advice. Nerve Centre trainers can also directly deliver these courses for schools.
Read more about CCEA's Occupational Studies Qualification in Digital Media.

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