WELLBEING AND INCLUSION

Visuals to Support Learning

The use of visual supports in the classroom can help students to increase their independence. One visual that we use in classrooms is a First/Then visual which was shown in the last newsletter. Another visual we use is a Task Tracker. This visual was first introduced to our Staff by our Inclusion Outreach Coach who worked with our staff in 2023. 

Benefits of these visuals include:

• increasing independence;
• providing predictable environments;
• clarifying expectations while providing a sequence of events;
• supporting transitions;
• reducing verbal information (prompts) provided to the student;
• increasing motivation to complete a task; and
• providing an example to students of how visuals can help their learning so they can begin to use them in the future.

Task Trackers can be used for individual students, small groups and the whole class. They promote independence as they provide a visual reminder of equipment needed and the steps that need to be completed to achieve success in a task. They also provide motivation for students who enjoy ticking off steps as they move through the task. Additionally, the Task Tracker models to students the skills needed to approach a task in an organised manner.  Over time, students can use this approach independently, to support their thinking around how to manage a task. 

Virginnia Gilham – Inclusive Practices Leader