At Bett 2023, SMART convened an Accessibility Round Table. A group of educators from five countries came together to discuss how technology could better support inclusive learning environments for all.
The countries were: Canada, Austria, Finland, Scotland and England and some differences quickly came to light. Some had immersive technology as part and parcel of a package for children with additional needs, others were struggling to get laptops.
'I was gobsmacked,' said one participant. ‘In most schools it's, 'Can we have a laptop? Can I sign it out?’ …then there is the logistics of how a learner is trusted. There must be those learners that regularly lose or break their laptop. The pressure on IT departments must be phenomenal.'
The session was conducted under Chatham House rules whereby all contributions would be reported anonymously to encourage people to be more open and honest in presenting their views.
The group started by discussing SMART interactive whiteboards and their favourite features for children with additional needs, such as the range of timers to encourage children to stay focused and finish work without the teacher constantly prodding them. Others mentioned the spinner which would select a child at random to do a task or answer a question.