Page 20 - SEN106 SEN Magazine May-June 2020

T he rollout of the new EdTech Strategy from the Department for Education (DfE) – with its aim to cut workload, create efficiencies, remove educational barriers and ultimately improve academic outcomes – marks an exciting time for schools. Supported by £10 million of funding, the Strategy is set to advance digital innovation by enabling teachers, lecturers and other education leaders to work with experienced schools, benefit from their expertise and formulate solutions to resolve current issues within education. The initiative focuses on five key areas: • administration processes – reducing the burden of “non-teaching” tasks • assessment processes – making assessment more effective and efficient • teaching practices – supporting access, inclusion and improved educational outcomes for all • continuing professional development – supporting teachers, lecturers and education leaders • learning throughout life – supporting decisions about work or further study and helping those who are not in the formal education system gain new skills. Of the five areas listed, it’s heartening to see the emphasis on inclusion within teaching practices which potentially heralds a “golden age” of accessibility. Now more than ever, technology that focuses on accessibility is moving into the mainstream market. In response to commercial demand for accessible technology, tech giants are commissioning significant research and channelling funding into this market. Mainstream accessibility As mainstream and assisted technologies become more aligned, tools which help remove barriers to learning also become more readily available. Many inclusive technology features are now included automatically in standard products. For example, full screen reading tools designed to make documents easier to read, especially for students with dyslexia, are now available on mainstream computers and software. They can be used by anyone wishing to simplify reading on their devices. Some tablet devices are also used by the blind and partially sighted community. People with reduced sight typically find Technology that focuses on accessibility is moving into the mainstream market Adam Gordon looks at how education technology is enabling learning for pupils with SEN Inclusion as standard SEN 106 senmagazine.co.uk 20 Ed tech