Spain
Case Study - CEIP Gumersindo Azcárate, León – Inclusive Education through Technology
At CEIP Gumersindo Azcárate in León, technology is seamlessly integrated into the learning process from early childhood to primary education. Students use a variety of digital tools and platforms to enhance learning, promote inclusion, and engage with interactive content in a collaborative environment.
Context
– Diverse Student Needs: Students come from varied backgrounds, and some face language barriers or have different learning needs (e.g., students with learning disabilities or migrant children).
– Adapting to Technology: Ensuring that technology is not only used as a tool for engagement but also as an instrument for inclusion, helping students feel confident and empowered in their learning.
– Time Constraints: Balancing the integration of technology with the traditional curriculum and the time available for training teachers and adapting resources.
Problem/Challenges
– Diverse Student Needs: Students come from varied backgrounds, and some face language barriers or have different learning needs (e.g., students with learning disabilities or migrant children).
– Adapting to Technology: Ensuring that technology is not only used as a tool for engagement but also as an instrument for inclusion, helping students feel confident and empowered in their learning.
– Time Constraints: Balancing the integration of technology with the traditional curriculum and the time available for training teachers and adapting resources.
Solutions
Challenge 1: Diverse Student Needs
- Differentiated Learning Materials: The school addressed the diverse needs of students by offering personalized learning experiences through technology. For example, digital platforms like Snappet and Smile & Learn were used to cater to different learning styles. These platforms allowed students to work at their own pace, with tailored content based on individual progress.
- Multilingual Support: To address language barriers, tools like Fiction Express helped migrant students by offering interactive storytelling, where students could vote on the story’s direction and read in their preferred language, ensuring engagement and comprehension for non-native speakers.
- Collaborative Learning: In multicultural groups, students worked together on hands-on tasks, fostering peer support. Collaborative learning encouraged teamwork, helping students from different backgrounds support each other in the classroom.
Challenge 2: Adapting to Technology
- Gradual Integration of Technology: Teachers gradually introduced technology to avoid overwhelming students and teachers. By initially focusing on basic digital skills and then moving on to more complex tools (like Scratch for coding), the school ensured that both students and teachers adapted to the technology in a meaningful way.
- Empowering Students with Technology: Technology was not just a tool for engagement, but an empowerment tool. For instance, students used tablets and laptops to search for additional information and explore topics beyond the curriculum. This helped students take ownership of their learning and become more independent in finding resources and solving problems.
- Teacher Training and Support: To support teachers in the use of new technologies, the school provided ongoing professional development. Teachers were trained to integrate digital tools into their lessons, ensuring they were confident in using the technology to enhance learning. The support of a technology coordinator also helped troubleshoot issues and guide teachers in their use of these tools.
Challenge 3: Time Constraints
- Efficient Use of Class Time: The school found ways to integrate technology within the existing curriculum without requiring additional time. For example, using educational apps like Snappet allowed for more efficient classroom activities, as students could work independently on tasks while the teacher provided individualized support.
- Collaborative Time Management: Teachers collaborated and planned together to find efficient ways to integrate technology into lessons, ensuring it complemented the traditional curriculum. They also made use of cross-curricular projects, such as coding in Scratch, that incorporated subjects like mathematics and language arts, saving time while maintaining the richness of the curriculum.
- Use of Asynchronous Learning: To make the most of available time, the school implemented a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning. Students could work on assignments using digital tools outside of class hours, allowing teachers to focus on direct instruction and hands-on activities during school hours.
