Workstations and independent learning tasks

Workstations and Independent Learning Tasks

Jamie EvansSpecialist Teacher Swale STLS

Objectives: • To begin to identify which children would benefit from a workstation structure to learning • To know how to structure a workstation to promote independence • To feel confident to plan appropriate tasks for an independent workstation

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6. Why?

5. How?

4. Where?

3. When?

2. What?

1. Who?

Contents

Workstations form part of the TEACCH approach, designed in South Carolina, USA to support children with ASD.As with most strategies for those with ASD, the structure and independence taught within these can be a useful strategy for learning for a number of children with a variety of different learning needs.

Who?

Remember that you can’t do something independently if you don’t know how to do it.Tasks may consist of;

• Practical tasks, particulary for those children that are at a pre-learning level.
• Laminated tasks for our early learners
• Simple curriculum tasks for those starting to access the class learning at a basic level.

What?

a) Practical tasks for those children that are at a pre-learning level.

Click here for a sample number activity

Click here for a sample phonics activity

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b) Laminated tasks for our early learners

c) Simple curriculum tasks for those starting to access the class learning at a basic level.

There is no perfect answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors;- the child themselves- other children in the class- staff available- class set up- timetable

When?

Contrary to popular belief not every child will need their own dedicated workstation in order to do this(which is a relief if you have several children who may benefit from learning in this way!)

Where?

- Getting Started- The First session- Ongoing Sessions

How?

Click the file to download an example work schedule to get you started.

Getting Started;

Ideally, the workstation tasks should be motivational so the child wants to complete them successfully. Some children may need the additional motivation of a preferred activity to finish. This could be presented clearly on the childs work schedule or visual timetable.

The First Session;

Top tip!Where possible use tasks that stay together when put away otherwise it is tricky to assess or even to know if the child actually completed the task!

Click the file to download an example assessment proforma

Ongoing Sessions;

The benefits of this approach are not just limited to the structure, overlearning and repetition that the child will be exposed to, or that the child will be independent for short periods of the day- there are benefits to self confidence and sense of wellbeing too.

Why?

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