A major computer project to provide a new approach to educating children with special needs will be shown tomorrow in the midlands.
Work on the development of the new centre is being co-ordinated by the SPEAR project, which is being developed by teacher Ms Esther Lambe.
SPEAR stands for Special Education Assessment and Resource and this will be the name given to the project, to be shown to educators tomorrow at the annual meeting of the Computer Education Society of Ireland.
It was founded in 1973 by teachers from all levels in Irish education, to promote the use of computers and technology in education.
The society has aimed to embrace all facets and aspects of education where information technology can make a useful contribution to the teaching process.
The SPEAR centre will be school-based and will combine the efforts of all of those who provide services in primary education for children with learning difficulties, physical or sensory disabilities, mental handicap and social and emotional disadvantage.
This will be done by focusing on information and communication technology and the implementation of a programme called IT2000, according to CESI.
Support, expertise, resources and training will be provided for parents and teachers of children with special education needs, in mainstream and special education.
It is hoped that a venue to assess children with special needs will be made available, and to provide in-service training and a specialised course in IT education.
The project is expected to spearhead the efforts of the midlands in its fight against disadvantage and illiteracy using the latest technology in schools.
Esther Lambe has been using technology to assess education for children with a broad range of special needs and learning disabilities at Scoil Mhuire, Tullamore for over 10 years.
This year, for the first time, the midlands town will host the national AGM of the Computer Education Society and the SPEAR project will be unveiled following an illustrated talk by Elizabeth Oldham of Trinity College, Dublin.