We are raising fund for BRUNSWICK SPECIAL DEVELOPMENTAL SCHOOL
The students at Brunswick Special Developmental School all have a significant intellectual disability and many have additional disabilities including physical, medical, sensory and behavioural difficulties. Over 50% of our students have an autism diagnosis.
As a result of their disabilities students at the school all have language and communication impairments. The majority of students are non-verbal and use alternative communication systems or rely on others to interpret their needs. Our students learn best when information is presented visually and in a clear and consistent manner. Many students have very short attention spans and it is often difficult to motivate and engage them in learning activities.
We are raising funds to purchase Interactive Whiteboards for all classrooms. 
Interactive Whiteboards are ideal in meeting the learning needs of our students and have proven to be very successful in our school. Some of the benefits of the Interactive Whiteboards are:
- They are large and present information visually so they engage and motivate students.
- Staff can make specific resources for use on the IWB tailored to the students needs
- Staff can import student photos, video clips, favourite music, and sound effects to motivate and engage students
- Students can manipulate information on the IWB through touch which allows them to demonstrate their understanding
- Students become more skilled at using technology which has transferred to use with computers and other communication technology.
- They provide opportunities for teaching turn taking and cooperative skills
How will the funds be used?
The funds will be used to purchase additional interactive whiteboards. Our aim is to have an interactive whiteboard in every classroom. We currently have nine interactive whiteboards in the school and have twelve classrooms, therefore we need three more.
In the classrooms that currently have interactive whiteboards they are used frequently throughout the day and students are highly motivated to use them. The large screen size of the interactive whiteboard and its touch screen property make presentations easy to see and hear. DVD presentations, interactive books, PowerPoint displays and song selection from CDs all become multi-sensory experiences.
Students enjoy the fact that they can operate and control what happens on the screen. Some have learned that the computer is a communicative device for them. Students who have not elected to use computers in the past now see them as a means of communicating. Students are developing skills in navigating and communicating using a range of programs. Parents have commented that students are gaining confidence in using the computer at home.
Key areas of expenditure for funds donated:
All funds donated will be used to purchase additional interactive whiteboards for use in classrooms. Each interactive whiteboard costs approximately $5,000 fully installed and operational in the classroom. This cost includes the interactive whiteboard, data projector, speakers, software and installation.
More about Brunswick SDS…http://www.brunswicksds.vic.edu.au/
