Technology in the Inclusive Classroom

According to Hockly (2017), the term ‘Special Educational Needs’ refers to learners with a wide range of needs that require special support in the language classroom. This includes learners with:

• cognitive and learning challenges 

• behavioural challenges

• social or emotional challenges

• physical challenges like visual or hearing impairments

These very different needs require differing levels and types of support with learning. The following apps may be useful in the EFL inclusive classroom:

This tool serves as a valuable resource for summarizing information and can be employed as both a post-reading and pre-writing exercise to assist students in consolidating their knowledge. It provides four distinct options:

• Bio Cube

• Mystery Cube

• Story Cube

• Create-Your-Own Cube

This application proves beneficial as it enables students to initiate their projects and save their drafts for future revisions. Upon completing the cube, it can also be printed and folded into an engaging cube shape for future reference.

This tool is may be really useful for dyslexic students in the sense that it will help them organize information visually. It might also be beneficial for those students who are really creative. 

Suggested tasks: 

After reading a story, ask your students to create their own cube summarizing the story including text and images. This will show understanding as the students will need to include characters, conflict, themes, or even their favourite part! 

How to use it:

1. Click on "LAUNCH THE TOOL!" 

2. Input your name and select the type of cube you wish to create by clicking on one of the available cube options. 

3. Click on the box you wish to complete and add the necessary information. Then, click on the rest of the boxes and complete them so that your cube is complete.

4. After completing the cube, click on "FINISH"

5. Choose your preferred action for your work: Print, Export, or Save.

It is a versatile tool that empowers you to either generate your own custom flashcard sets or access those created by others. Its primary purpose is to facilitate studying, allowing you to either study the flashcards, export them, or collaborate with your peers by sharing them.

This app proves particularly advantageous for students facing challenges related to memory and reading. The following features are specifically tailored to enhance information retention for students with memory difficulties:

• topic-focused flashcard sets 

• repetitive nature of study

• incorporation of visual aids

• testing and gaming options 

Additionally, for those grappling with reading challenges, the tool offers a "Read Aloud" function, which reads the content on each flashcard, further aiding comprehension.

Suggested tasks:

After dealing with a vocabulary area, the students may be asked to create a set of flashcards using different strategies, for instance:

• picture + description

• word + description

• picture + word

When their sets are ready, the idea is for them to exchange the links to the sets and use the "Test" or "Games" mode to check if they are well-crafted. This will foster critical-thinking and creativity while revising lexical items. 

How to use it:

1. Click on the "Sign In" button to register or sign in. 

2. To start working, click on "Create a New Set"

3. Complete the description and... start creating!

4. Complete the "FRONT" and "BACK" sections of your flashcards. You can add images, text and format. 

5. Once your flashcards are ready, scroll down and click on the "Create Set" button. 

6. Now that your set is ready, choose what you want to do with it. You can choose from: Flashcards, Memorize, Test or Games.

Hockly, N. (2017) Unit 45: 10 things to know about SEN students and technology. EtPedia: Technology. pp. 159-161. Hove: Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd.