2 minute read
Blended learning
Blended learning special experience for special needs
by Matthew Wong
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The Nesbitt Centre is a day activity facility for anyone aged 16+ with learning disabilities. These can include autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and Down’s syndrome. The Centre’s aim is to help them achieve independence, maximize their potential and empower them to live independently.
Due to the pandemic, the Centre’s programmes were cancelled and learners, who typically receive holistic and direct support, remained at home in the interests of safety. In response, we began developing an e-learning programme to allow continued engagement.
Independent e-learning for those with special needs is especially challenging. They commonly have communication impairments and typical online media may not be suitable. The standard “Q&A” approach in online sessions, for example, offers minimal benefits for learners who find verbal communication challenging.
Realizing that we needed to be innovative, with assistance from The Hong Kong Jockey Club, we developed a programme that encompassed eleven live online sessions streamed via WebEx video-conferencing. Lessons included functional skills such as general studies and literacy and leisure-based subjects such as expressive art and drumming. We also produced three activity videos for learners each week, grouped under three themes ‒ #TastyTuesday, #ThoughtfulThursday, #SensorySaturday ‒ and uploaded on Instagram or YouTube with which our learners are familiar.
Video or phone conferencing enabled us to provide one-on-one music therapy, speech and language therapy, counselling and clinical psychology. We also organized online classrooms containing interactive worksheets to enrich the learning experience. Our initial goal was continued engagement and prevention of regression. However, we soon realized that supporting parents was equally important so we developed parent-child online workshops – a social and educational experience providing therapeutic coping strategies for these unprecedented times.
The one-hour workshops emphasized music therapy and expressive art therapy and explored creativity and playfulness through music, visual arts and physical sensation. The Nesbitt Centre is now gradually resuming normal programmes but components of e-learning are still incorporated. Our experience with such blended learning furthers the notion that a holistic and person-centred approach to online education can benefit anyone, regardless of capabilities.
We also believe that where travel or geographic challenges used to be limiting factors, future advances in technology will allow for extended support, further breaking down the barriers caused by misconceptions about online education for those with learning disabilities.
More details
Matthew Wong, Program Manager The Nesbitt Centre Tel: +(852) 2813 4550 Fax: +(852) 2813 4536 www.nesbittcentre.org.hk
