Assessing and teaching children at the early stages of development. Combining psychology and ICT: an evaluation of a short inservice course for teachers of pupils with PMLD

Abstract

This paper reports findings from a follow‐up evaluation of a short inservice course designed to enable teachers to assess and teach pupils with PMLD more effectively by combining the use of custom built ICT hardware and software (the Declan materials) and cognitive developmental psychology. The Declan materials were introduced to teachers at a short inservice course and all participants completed an evaluation form at the end of the course. Twelve months later participants took part in a telephone interview. Just under half of those interviewed were using the materials with pupils and were very positive about the impact of the materials on pupil progress. Those not using the materials were still positive about the course, but reported a number of barriers to use of the materials, including lack of confidence in setting up the hardware and software, lack of other resources, and classroom organizational issues.