Technology has immense potential to break down barriers to learning. 

From using AI tools in the classroom to personal Chromebooks, LEO’s approach to educational technology helps make learning more accessible to all, finding solutions that match their preferred learning style and any special education needs. 

In this blog, we will explore how PedTech supports children with SEND and the tools we use to ensure that all learners feel included, valued and respected in their educational journey. 

What is Techquity? 

Techquity is a newly coined term, mostly used in the healthcare sector, referring to the idea that technology should help us address disparities and work towards a more equitable future. 

In the context of education, Techquity is a fundamental part of PedTech. 

LEO’s PedTech approach uses a pedagogy-first mindset to ensure that technology exists to meaningfully support education, including making education more accessible to children with special educational needs and disabilities. 

We don’t just provide accessible options – we make sure that all children are using digital tools with accessible features, regardless of their specific needs and disabilities! 

How does PedTech at LEO Academy Trust support children with SEND? 

Following our Trust’s switch to PedTech, the number of children on the SEN register requiring expensive intervention programmes has been reduced by around a third. This is because of the embedded inclusive practice facilitated by the use of digital technology. 

We have identified a variety of reasons why pedagogy-led educational technology is helping us break down barriers and disparities in learning. 

Here are just five of our key findings! 

Self-regulation 

We have implemented the Google Chromebook 1:1 programme across the whole Trust, equipping all Key Stage 2 pupils with a personal Chromebook to use in lessons and at home to continue their learning. 

In our PedTech Impact Report, teachers described the change in children’s learning behaviours when whole-class instructional materials are viewed on 1:1 device screens rather than on a digital board at the front. 

One of our teachers commented: 

“Children’s pace is better when they can see the input on their own screens - particularly SEND learners. They can refer back to something from a moment ago, or just take a moment longer to read or think about something. They can manipulate what they are looking at more - zoom in, adjust the background colour so you can see it better, go into dark mode rather than light mode, use split-screen to see a WAGOLL on one screen image and the work on the other side - all those things. They’re simple but they can make a really big difference.” 

Personal Chromebooks have helped children with special educational needs manage overstimulation, self-regulate, and choose the best viewing and access options for their needs. They are in control of their learning at all times, whether they’re in class or at home. 

Inclusion and personalised support 

In LEO classrooms, it’s difficult for an outside observer to identify children with SEND. 

In an article by The Guardian, LEO’s chief executive, Phil Hedger, notes that inclusion and equality among learners are some of the most significant benefits of PedTech.  

Remarking on the use of 1:1 Chromebooks, he comments: 

“These students often felt awkward because they were the only ones with an extra adult supporting them, whereas now all that resource and support is in a device, and their peers have them as well.” 

Learners who need additional support may want to avoid drawing extra attention to them. Personal Chromebooks allow teachers to provide highly targeted support for all learners, without singling out children with special education needs and disabilities. 

Everyone gets the same tools to work with, and they are accessible by default! 

Reading and accessing text 

Reading can often be a point of frustration and pain for SEN pupils, whether we’re dealing with reading aloud or reading for comprehension. These barriers prevent learners with SEND from accessing text in the same way their peers do, and when left unaddressed, they might impact learners’ understanding of topics and their self-esteem. 

With Texthelp tools like Read&Write and OrbitNote, students with special education needs can access and engage with lessons confidently alongside their peers. 

Read&Write offers particularly useful features for readers with dyslexia and students who struggle reading when presented with a full block of text. The Screen Mask and Simplify features allow learners to focus on the area of the screen they are working on, improving reading accessibility and reducing the time needed to complete tasks by taking away other distractions. 

Writing 

Similarly, Texthelp tools allow learners with SEND to express their understanding of topics in flexible ways and get their thoughts down on paper. 

By using tools like prediction, Talk&Type, and Voice notes, pupils can choose the writing approach that works best for them. They can dictate their thoughts using speech-to-text, look up unfamiliar words and discover new ways of saying what they mean to say. 

Empowerment  

The use of pedagogy-informed technology, such as adaptive programs, increases SEN children’s independence and self-esteem. 

All learners feel more empowered in their learning journey when they are in charge of how they learn, both in class and at home. 

Adaptive programs like Seesaw offer tools that enable learners to work at their own pace, and repeat words and instructions as many times as they need. Teachers can scaffold instructions with audio, video and visuals to meet the diverse needs of students without drawing attention to the learners who need extra support. 

In our 2023 Impact Report, a senior leader describes: 

“We have fully embedded inclusive practice now because every child is accessing learning tasks at their own level. They are still scaffolded and supported with additional tools or resources but now they can take ownership of that rather than waiting for the teacher to set everyone else off before coming to them, or having to have an additional adult explain everything twice”. 

Going beyond accessibility 

The concept of Techquity aims to go beyond accessibility and leverage the immense potential of technology to bring about real change and equality in education. 

Here at LEO Academy Trust, PedTech is how we put this concept into practice! 

You can learn more about how PedTech supports children with SEND at one of our upcoming Digital Discovery Days. 

These will give you the opportunity to visit our classrooms, ask our expert teachers questions about pedagogy-led educational technology, and spend an immersive day delving into the future of teaching and learning.