This course introduces and develops understanding of the application of new media for the education, health and social care of people with learning disabilities.
It presents the theory behind 'Multimedia Advocacy', drawing from principles of inclusive and reflective learning, communication, advocacy and person centred approaches to care and support. Ideas about representation, ethics, the principles of journalism and a media studies analysis of representation, roles and responsibilities are also introduced.
Students are taught practical skills for effective engagement of new technologies with people with learning disabilities, with exercises set to apply the approach and reflect on ways in which Multimedia Advocacy can make an impact in the students' own work or family setting. Students are asked to co-develop portfolios of multimedia with people they teach or support and develop strategic ways in which these new technologies and practice might transform practice and influence new directions for the education and care of people with learning disabilities in the future.
Please note: 'people with learning disabilities' is used throughout this course as this is the term that is used most widely within social care in the UK. Some self-advocacy groups, such as People First, would prefer we all used the term 'people with learning difficulties'. Other labels are used in other countries. These terms are open to much debate and discussion and you might like to reflect on your use of labels during this course. If you wish to find out more about issues of labelling you can read this article by J.Rix (2006) Does it matter what we call them? Labelling people on the basis of notions of intellect.
- Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
- Explain the principles and values underpinning self-advocacy.
- Understand what communication is and how Multimedia Advocacy aids communication.
- Understand the process of and methods used in a Multimedia Advocacy approach.
- Understand the issues of representation and their relevance to multimedia self-advocacy.
- Know how to create a RIX Wiki and add multimedia.
- Understand the various functions that a RIX Wiki could perform.
- Understand the issues of consent, privacy and security.
- Understand the vision of England's Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0-25.
- Understand the principles of person centred practice.
- Understand the range of person centred planning tools available.
- Use multimedia self-advocacy as a pedagogic tool.
- Understand the principles and values underpinning recent policy.