“The training has help me to improve my knowledge of the behaviour strategies so I will be able to better support the children I work with (to get the class quiet, clap hands or a small count down). The course has taught me that a sanction needs to be explained to the child, they need to know what will happen, (e.g. I need you to complete your work in lesson or you will have to complete it at break time). I have also been more aware in the classroom since doing this training when I have praised a child. Sometime before, I may have just said 'well done or good work' and not actually said what was good e.g. 'what lovely handwriting, or that was a good question you asked'.
“This training has increased my knowledge and understanding of deafness. In particular, I have learned a lot about the causes of hearing loss and the forms of communication and types of hearing aids that deaf students may use. I found the section on interventions really useful as it helped me to understand how best to support the student that I work with.
“The main thing I have taken from this course, among many others, is how to be very focused and specific in the setting of targets and interventions. I have realised I had a tendency to be quite broad in my outcomes - simply saying a child will learn a new sound - and didn't break the targets down in the necessary components. My tutor has been invaluable in helping me with this and it will definitely have a positive impact on both my teaching and my target setting for my TA.
“The training has improved my knowledge of the many different types of VI that can affect children and their development. I have learned a great deal about techniques and resources that I can use to support children with VI and I hope to apply some of these skills in my work. I have also learned more about the challenges faced by children with VI and hope to help them overcome these.