5th iNet International Conference, 26 28 November 2008

Re-imagining special education through arts education and arts therapy

Presented by Port Phillip Specialist School in association with the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development – Student Well Being; Melbourne University Faculty of Arts; Centre for Strategic Education and independent education and business consultants.

Traditionally special education has provided a modified mainstream experience for students with special needs. Recent research and exemplars of good practice illustrate a growing national and international awareness of the need to develop new strategies.

Special education through the arts delivers a sensory approach to learning, assisting students to move from the non-verbal to the verbal, from being an observer to a participant and to fully awaken student potential.

Aim

This symposium is an opportunity to:

• Re-imagine special education through the arts
• Explore and discover the processes required to re-imagine special education
• Recognise the power of intertwining arts education/arts therapy within the learning and teaching program
• Use the arts as a model to illustrate possibilities for transferring the model to other educational foci/specialisms

Framework

The symposium will include presentation of papers and workshop opportunities, special interest discussions and the opportunity to view and visit the arts in action.

The symposium will be organised around three key perspectives:

• Philosophy - What is the nexus between the arts, arts therapy and special education?
• Leadership/Strategy - How can we shift understanding at a community and/or policy level to advocate the importance of the arts in special education?
• Program/Implementation - How can teachers develop the skills and understanding to use the arts to address the needs of children in special education?

Further information and booking

Please visit the RiSE website for more information and to book your place.