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Exploring inclusive technology with the Digital Education Futures Initiative

On 21 October 2021, the Cambridge Partnership for Education and the Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) examined the topic of ‘Inclusive technology: Ensuring universal access to higher education and career training’ for their latest monthly webinar.

Inclusive technology

On 21 October 2021, the Cambridge Partnership for Education and the Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) examined the topic of ‘Inclusive technology: Ensuring universal access to higher education and career training’ for their latest monthly webinar. They hosted panellists Teocah Arieal Ainka Dove, Social Innovator and Development Strategist, Hacoet Social Innovation Solutions; Nic Rebne, Chief Operating Officer, CogBooks; and Deirdre Cijffers, Learning Design Consultant and former Head of Learning Design and Development, Cambridge University Press & Assessment. The session was moderated by Kristi Robson, Director of Early Careers at Arm, who sponsor the series.

The webinar opened with Teocah guiding attendees through the education journey of a child in the Caribbean: Giovanni. Through Giovanni’s story, Teocah demonstrated barriers to energy and technology access and showed the impact of climate change on education. Climate change has particularly acute repercussions in the Caribbean region, and Teocah shared some examples of reduced exam attendance in the wake of climate related natural disasters.  She described the key solution of renewable energy and spoke to how we can foster resilience through advancing education technology.

After Teocah established several barriers a child might face to education and technology, Nic and Deirdre explored the next step. They considered how digital platforms can be used to increase inclusivity once a learner has access to them.

Nic presented some of the possibilities adaptive technology creates for education. He showed how adaptive technology can identify problems in a learning journey and provide a personalised resolution in real time. This tailored support is made possible by a network of content that can enable a variety of different paths. He commented that some of the best systems can connect the dots across a curriculum – smoothly directing learners to revisit appropriate sections of earlier courses to resolve questions. CogBooks, where Nic has worked for a decade, is an example of an online learning technology company who embrace adaptive courseware to boost learner engagement and achievement. CogBooks has recently been acquired by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and together the teams plan to combine this pioneering technology with Cambridge’s content to improve learning outcomes for children and students around the world.

Deirdre discussed how innovative online courses can improve access to higher education and career training. She shared how building practice, reflection, representation and belonging into the digital learning experience can help achieve this goal. Deirdre and team considered all four when developing new online courses STEM Start and Learning Law. STEM Start is an online programme to support talented students with science and maths study. It aims to bridge attainment gaps and help young people from all backgrounds secure places to study STEM subjects at leading universities. Learning Law is a six week virtual course which helps students understand the nature of law, and the key skills needed to excel as a law student. It aims to encourage people who might not otherwise have considered a career in law to pursue higher education and training in this field. In the subsequent Q&A session, Deirdre spoke to how the format of the online courses, which allow for asynchronous learning, can also increase inclusivity as students can fit them in around other commitments or restrictions.

Watch the full webinar below:

The Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) is a part of Hughes Hall at the University of Cambridge. DEFI partners with researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and educators to investigate new horizons for digital technology in education. Cambridge Partnership for Education and DEFI are developing close connections to help bridge the gap between research and practice in education technology.

The next event collaboration between DEFI and the Partnership will look at digital skills and literacy. Join our mailing list to receive updates on signing up for this webinar, and hear about what other news and events are coming up.

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