Enable Ireland has teamed up with Microsoft Ireland to develop a new e-learning assistive technology course aimed at teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs) and parents of children who need to use the technology.
The course, Learning with Assistive Technology – Primary Education Course, was developed by Enable Ireland with the support of the tech giant.
“We have a lot of experience in Enable Ireland of working with educators, students and parents and we have found that early introduction to AT leads to better outcomes and increased engagement levels amongst users,” said Siobhán Long, Enable Ireland’s national AT service manager. “The course is designed to equip the learner with the knowledge and skills required to guide students as they progress through to second-level education and beyond. With this ambition in mind, we have developed this course specifically for those with key roles in primary education and the guardians of primary level students using AT. We have significant experience of what works and what types of assistive technologies are available, and we want to share that experience with others.”
The course is self-directed, concentrating on practical topics such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL), software and apps to support maths, and technologies to support visual arts, drama and music, among others. It will take about 12 hours to complete and costs €50 for teachers, €25 for parents and SNAs.
‘Inclusive society’
This marks another collaboration between the two organisations, with Microsoft working with Enable Ireland on a number of assistive technology projects in the past two decades.
“The power of technology is not only making this possible every day, it’s also helping to cultivate a more inclusive society. Working with Enable Ireland, we’re able to unleash the power of assistive technology, transforming the lives of people living with disabilities,” said James O’Connor, vice-president of Microsoft International Operations. “Enable Ireland’s new AT course is an important development in the AT story as it will support people caring for and educating those with additional needs to develop the skills required to integrate AT seamlessly into the classroom or the home environment. In so doing, we are helping those who require AT to accelerate their ability to benefit from these digital solutions.”
Enable Ireland also offers a free introductory course, AT in Primary Education, which is a broad overview of the topic.
