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Inclusive Education

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Date
10 September 2025
Link
inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/low-vision-and-learning/support-participation-and-build-confidence-2

Support participation and build confidence

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8’

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Give instructions in close proximity

Give instructions in close proximity

Communication can be more effective up close. It can help reduce distractions and support attention.
Teacher at table with students

Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

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Create a secure environment

Create a secure environment

  • Use the student’s name when addressing them.
  • Create clear, planned pathways for moving around the classroom. Minimise random obstacles.
  • Familiarise the student with a new classroom layout BEFORE making changes.
  • Encourage all students to position themselves in optimum environments to support their engagement and attention.
  • Discuss with the student the best places for them to sit to access information at a distance.
  • Make learning support tools – text-to-speech, graphic organisers, planning tools and so on – available for all students.
  • Create a culture where students support each other.

Useful resources

Useful resources

Website

Self advocacy traffic light system in a primary classroom

A blog post on how the traffic light system can be used to help students self-assess their learning at their own pace. A colour-coded system would greatly assist low vision learners and their teachers with ongoing formative feedback.

Publisher: The English Classroom

Visit website

Website

Dance mat typing

A BBC typing programme, in the form of a game, that has been used to effectively support students with low vision.

Publisher: BBC

Visit website

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8”:

Return to the guide “Low vision and learning”

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Low vision and learning

How to use this site

Guide to Index of the guide: Collaborative planning for learning

Understand:

  • Understanding collaborative planning for learning

Strategies for action:

Key resources:

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