Kris Astle
Education Strategist, SMART Technologies
The right educational technology used in the right way can support inclusive learning experiences, helping students with different needs feel engaged, inspired and independent.
Currently, there’s a concerted drive to make education as inclusive as possible, with a sharper focus on the varying needs of students with physical disabilities and neurodivergent conditions. Plainly, that’s as it should be, agrees Kris Astle, who points to various reasons why inclusive education has recently risen up the social agenda.
Inclusive education importance
First, the Covid pandemic highlighted how important it was for learning establishments to respond to the different educational requirements of their students. Second, greater numbers of high-profile people are talking more openly about their own experiences with neurodivergent conditions.
“Also, better policy has been developed around the issue of educational inclusivity,” says Astle, Education Strategist at SMART Technologies, a company that designs edtech for primary, secondary and higher learning institutions. “Plus, research shows that a neurodivergent workforce boosts an organisation’s creativity, productivity and bottom line. So, there’s a general awareness that it pays to enable all learners to be more successful.”
If the needs of these students aren’t met, it’s easy for their confidence to plummet. “Consequently, they can become increasingly stressed, their ability to learn declines, and they’re less academically successful,” says Astle. “That’s a vicious circle because their frustration can manifest into behavioural issues, which is a problem for teachers and other students.”
Technology breaks down barriers to participation
Technology is the key that unlocks educational inclusivity, helping students with neurodiverse conditions, physical disabilities and learning needs feel engaged, inspired and independent. Rather than the traditional ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to learning, pioneering tech offers a classroom experience that is personalised to individuals — and equitable. “When there are multiple ways for students to engage with learning, they can pick which method or tool works best for them,” says Astle.
By creating classrooms that celebrate
diversity — and don’t put people
in siloes — everyone can shine.
For instance, SMART has created technology that allows students to tap stamps onto an interactive display at the front of the classroom. When they do, the images on those stamps appear on-screen. “This takes language out of the equation,” she explains. “Language can be a barrier to educational participation, particularly for students with dyslexia and dysgraphia who might find writing on a board in front of the class too much of a challenge. Also, students who aren’t able to speak — or don’t want to — can use the stamps instead. Because it’s a fun activity, all children want to do it, so no one is being singled out.”
Cloud-based customised learning
The company has also developed cloud-based software for collaborative learning that delivers educational content to students on the device of their choosing. Teachers can embed separate features — such as audio or dyslexic fonts — for individual learners where necessary, with clear instructions in multiple formats.
“Some students will want to physically cluster together and work together,” says Astle. “Others won’t want to because of noise or distractions. This technology means they can work within a group, but in a place that is right for them.”
Keeping students fully engaged and interested
The best tech also enables learners to work at a pace that is right for them. “After all, everyone thinks at different speeds,” says Astle. “Today’s technology allows learning to be delivered at the speed that works for individual students, without teachers drawing attention to them if their processing time is longer. Navigating a lesson in their own way keeps students engaged and interested.”
Ultimately, every student deserves an education that prepares them for the future they want. “They also deserve to experience that education in their community, alongside their peers, because everyone benefits from a diverse environment,” she concludes. “By creating classrooms that celebrate diversity — and don’t put people in siloes — everyone can shine.”
