The SENDcast nasen awards - Alison Eason, Changemaker of the Year
Alison Eason discusses her recognition as the Changemaker of the Year at the nasen Awards for her innovative work in using technology to support students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). She emphasises how her computing strategies help students with dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism, and ADHD, promoting independence and reducing reliance on teaching assistants.
Alison shares her journey of upskilling in technology during the pandemic, becoming a Google trainer, and implementing tools like Google Classroom to enhance learning. She highlights various accessibility features available on Chromebooks, such as text-to-speech and widget, which empower students to express themselves and engage more effectively in their education.
The conversation covers the importance of fostering independence in students and using technology to create inclusive learning environments. Alison advocates for embracing tech in schools to prepare children for a future where technology plays a central role. She encourages educators to challenge themselves and leverage tech to personalise student experiences, ultimately enhancing their learning outcomes.
About Alison
Alison Eason has been a Primary School Teacher since 2005, working in London and Essex in a range of schools from good to outstanding. After completing a Master's in Education, Inclusion and Diversity in 2015, she became an Associate Member of British Dyslexia Association and went on to become a specialist Dyslexia Teacher in 2017. Over the course of her career, Alison developed a passion for working with SEN (Special Educational Needs) students and has dedicated the last 9 years to working with SEN children. She often felt that their voices went unheard and was concerned about the lack of creativity and quality of education SEN children received in some classrooms, due to staff not having access to learning the right skills necessary to create inclusive classrooms. She has been the head of ARP of an Additional Resourced Provision in North London, leading a team of specialist teachers and teaching assistants in delivering an outstanding and very personalised education for children who have autism. In addition, she is working with other local schools on a consultancy basis. She is proud of her ARP and describes it as a fun, engaging environment where children receive structure, predictability and an education that will prepare them for life as an independent person. She provides ongoing support and training to her team and also teachers the students for part of the week. She is a qualified SENCO and continues to work with other educators, families and children in understanding the complexities of SEN and how best to engage and support these learners. Alison is also an advocate in using adapted technologies and IT in the classroom, preparing her students for life where technologies are playing an ever-increasing role in everyday life; to engage and accelerate the learning and independence of her students.
Contact Alison
https://www.chalgroveprimary.org.uk/
About the nasen awards
The nasen awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the education and support of children and young people with SEND. These annual awards recognise individuals, schools, and organisations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to inclusive education and the advancement of SEND practices.
nasen is a charitable organisation that supports children and young people with SEND. nasen's goals include Influencing government policy, providing information, training and resources to support practitioners and contributing to the debate and effecting change to improve outcomes for children and young people.
Useful Links
- Teach Primary November 2024 Article on 'Partnering Up' (How schools can develop a good home-school relationship and make a difference to a child with SEN) page 33
- Sensory audit – How to optimise your school for autistic children 2024
- BERA blog November 2023
- Widgit 40th anniversary Video (01:23)
- Behind the Mask: How to help autistic pupils be themselves at school (page 8)
- RISE Supporting autistic primary pupils March 2024
- 'Digital Inclusion: Leveraging EdTech to Enhance SEND Provision' May 2024
- IGPP Institute of Government &Public Policy speaker 2023: Integrating Technology for Enhanced Support of SEND Students in Teaching Practice
- Google for education (11:49) - Accessibility & Inclusion The Anywhere School 2022
- B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
- Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
- Email Dale – dale@bsquared.co.uk
- Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe
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