In a significant move to enhance educational practices, the UK Department for Education (DfE) has announced that all new teachers will be required to undergo mandatory training in assistive technology starting September 2025. This initiative aims to better support students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Key Findings
- Focus on Assistive Technology: The training will equip teachers with the skills to effectively use various assistive technologies, ensuring that they can provide appropriate support to students who require additional help.
- Education Secretary’s Announcement: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will outline this plan during her speech at the Bett edtech show, highlighting the government’s commitment to integrating technology into the education system.
- Broader Edtech Initiatives: Alongside the mandatory training, the DfE plans to introduce additional measures that leverage technology to reduce administrative burdens on teachers and improve educational standards. This includes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline workloads and enhance teaching practices.
- Collaboration with Tech Firms: Major technology companies, including Microsoft, Google, Adobe, and Amazon Web Services, have agreed to develop safer AI tools for educational use. This collaboration aims to establish a framework for AI tools that prioritise child safety and usability in classrooms.
- Future of Edtech in Schools: The DfE is also set to launch a new service called “Plan Technology for Your School,” designed to assist schools in making informed decisions about technology procurement. Furthermore, the Chartered College of Teaching will pilot an edtech evidence board to evaluate the effectiveness of various AI products in education.
- Vision for Educational Transformation: Phillipson expressed optimism about a digital revolution in education, emphasising the importance of modernizing the educational system to improve life chances for children across the country.
This push for mandatory training in assistive technology reflects a growing recognition of the need to equip educators with the tools necessary to foster inclusive and effective learning environments.
For more details, you can read the full article here: Tes on Mandatory Assistive Tech Training.
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