Solutions that are developed to assist people with either disabilities or learning difficulties in the education sector are known as accessibility and assistive solutions. Fortunately, there are many tools and technological resources such as Microsoft and Hewlett Packard solutions that are available to facilitate and enhance learning for all levels and abilities.
Understanding diverse needs of learning difficulties and disabilities:Education is considered a basic right for humans and each human in this world is entitled to education. However, not all humans are similar in their learnings and abilities. It is imperative to understand needs of learning difficulties and disabilities on an individual basis. The needs typically fall under hearing disability, visual disability, physical disability and cognitive disability. Tools like Microsoft accessibility and assistive learning in Office 365, if used effectively, can remove barriers in learning. For example, accessibility checker, speech to text, voice recognition, screen narrator , magnifier, high contrast viewing , closed captions in videos, presentation translator add in delivers an engaging and collaborative experience for the learners with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Edukinect provides a customized Accessibility workshop for educators which empowers them to use Office 365 accessibility and inclusion tools effectively. The key area of focus during this workshop is teaching educators on how best to integrate assistive tools that are already available to them and create lesson plans that are highly engaging for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. The three key pillars of Living, Learning and Working in the 21st century are also reinforced during the workshop with Immersive computer called Sprout pro by Hewlett Packard and rugged eyed laptop. Sprout Pro’s built in scanner enables learners to create accessible materials, tactile projects can be converted into 3D and the touch pad can be used to view and research documents.
Some takeaways from the Accessibility workshop are that the learners are able to consume content independently, create content confidently, collaborate with each other inclusively and organize efficiently. Learners with diverse needs are more engaged and become more social in classrooms with assistive classrooms. They benefit more from collaborative learning and positive environments where they feel they have an equal opportunity to be successful and are able to inspire each other. With Singapore’s first digital readiness blueprint published in early June this year where key thrust is on customized access packages for those with specific needs, it also reinforces how technology can serve as an enabler to lead and live fulfilling lives.
If you want to hear more about the workshop and find out how technologies such as Microsoft tools and Sprout Pro by Hewlett Packard can help as an enabler, please contact info@edukinect.com