EdTech: Equitable access to digital technologies
This module considers how issues of equitable access to digital technologies can have an impact on the quality of learning and how this may be redressed.
Aim
This module shows you how to identify and respond to issues of equitable access to digital technologies.
Objective
After completing this module you will be able to:
- Recognise situations and groups where inequity of access can affect learning opportunities
- Adopt strategies to redress or compensate for inequitable access to digital technologies
Digital Teaching Professional Framework
This module covers the EdTech component - F1 : Accessibility
- Provide equitable access to appropriate digital technologies and resources, e.g. ensuring that all learners have access to the digital technologies used.
- Select and use digital strategies which respond to the learner's digital context, e.g. contextual constraints to their technology use (e.g. availability, institutional restrictions - offender learning, work based learning), competences, expectations, attitudes, misconceptions and misuses.
- Use digital technologies and strategies, e.g. assistive technologies, designed for learners' in need of special support (e.g. learners with physical or mental constraints; learners with learning disorders).
- Consider and respond to potential accessibility issues when selecting, modifying or creating digital resources and to provide alternative or compensatory tools or approaches for learners with special needs.
- Use design principles for increasing accessibility for the resources and digital environments used in teaching.
- Continuously monitor and reflect on the suitability of the measures implemented to improve accessibility and adapt strategies accordingly.
You may also be interested in
Accommodating the learner's digital context
- Framework
- EdTech.
- Category
- Accessibility.
- Level
- Adopting.
- Average rating
- 4.0 out of 5.
- Bookmarks
- This module is not in your bookmarks.
Creating inclusive content: Practice
- Framework
- EdTech.
- Category
- Accessibility.
- Level
- Adopting.
- Average rating
- 3.8 out of 5.
- Bookmarks
- This module is not in your bookmarks.
Creating inclusive content: Principles
- Framework
- EdTech.
- Category
- Accessibility.
- Level
- Exploring.
- Average rating
- 4.0 out of 5.
- Bookmarks
- This module is not in your bookmarks.
What is assistive technology?
- Framework
- EdTech.
- Category
- Accessibility.
- Level
- Exploring.
- Average rating
- 3.9 out of 5.
- Bookmarks
- This module is not in your bookmarks.
Influencing and promoting policy for equitable access
- Framework
- EdTech.
- Category
- Accessibility.
- Level
- Leading.
- Average rating
- 3.9 out of 5.
- Bookmarks
- This module is not in your bookmarks.
Accessibility and the law: Getting it right
- Framework
- EdTech.
- Category
- Accessibility.
- Level
- Leading.
- Average rating
- 3.8 out of 5.
- Bookmarks
- This module is not in your bookmarks.
Learning benefits of text to speech
- Framework
- EdTech.
- Category
- Accessibility.
- Level
- Exploring.
- Average rating
- 3.8 out of 5.
- Bookmarks
- This module is not in your bookmarks.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Teaching Strategies
- Framework
- EdTech.
- Category
- Accessibility.
- Level
- Exploring.
- Average rating
- 3.8 out of 5.
- Bookmarks
- This module is not in your bookmarks.
Supporting special learning needs
- Framework
- EdTech.
- Category
- Accessibility.
- Level
- Exploring.
- Average rating
- 3.7 out of 5.
- Bookmarks
- This module is not in your bookmarks.
Learning for independent living
- Framework
- EdTech.
- Category
- Accessibility.
- Level
- Exploring.
- Average rating
- 3.7 out of 5.
- Bookmarks
- This module is not in your bookmarks.
Digital literacy - the third essential skill
- Framework
- EdTech.
- Category
- Digital Literacy.
- Level
- Leading.
- Average rating
- 3.8 out of 5.
- Bookmarks
- This module is not in your bookmarks.
Delivering effective learning with technology
- Framework
- EdTech.
- Category
- The Digital Teacher.
- Level
- Adopting.
- Average rating
- 3.8 out of 5.
- Bookmarks
- This module is not in your bookmarks.
This module inspired the following reflection
See all reflections inspired by this module
Feedback about this module
Average feedback ratings
Taking note of your feedback
We greatly appreciate the time taken to provide us with feedback on each module. We regularly review all the feedback provided and use it to inform the development of new modules. Subject to funds being available and other constraints, we will amend existing modules where feedback shows this is required.Feedback from other members about this module
Found this very helpful. Challenging too.
Thanks this a great concise, easily understandable way of communicating equability. Love the strap line -Great non-tech. I will be using this within my training sessions too.
A sound reminder about reality and how to deal wiht it
Good
good
Use what IT is available and encourage learners to use it.
I had never considered evaluating the equitable access to technology I just planned with what I had.
Excellent illustration, if you can't do great tech, do great non tech.
Useful module.
Equitable access is always going to be a problem in communityy learning when it comes to home activities that are the backbone of development. Whilst central library resources are always available lack of mobility or the finances for travel may make it impossible for some to take advantage.
Great information and ideas
This module makes you really think about support for students.
good points in this course and a good reminder that it is not the same availability for everyone
Really useful
Ok module, but would have liked a bit more information.
Useful module but I would question some assumptions that 'Most sector institutions are now adept in planning and scheduling access in buildings and areas designed and resourced for learning with seamless connectivity across the whole site'. This is so in large GFE but not at all in many ACL / WBL scenarios.
It was useful to evidence the importance of planning for digital technology teaching.
Simple and clearly stated.
You have to work with the technology you have or do not have. Setting homework where students have accessibility to technology at home and providing them with the instructions and links to the website works well for some students - maybe more training or written instructions could be given for those that find it more difficult to remember verbal instruction. Zoom is a useful tool for holding remote meetings with students to discuss their progress and/or problems. Internet cafes and library gave computers that can be accessed for a small fee for those who do not have any means of accessing online work/resources.
An interesting reminder that teaching needs to adapt to the resourcing available, not the other way round.
I like the message, teach the best with what you've got, I might add while you work on influencing those within your organisation who can improve the access to technologies within your learning environment. This module reminded me of examples of practice from the Holex Techlearn project which were documented in this blog, https://holextechlearn.wordpress.com/ although the project was in 2015 many of the examples are relevant today for teaching the best way with what you've got. Another example of an approach for language is the Skype, VLE and MailVu post or if you want to deliver quizzes with limited access to technology out in the community take a look at the post on Plickers. There are lots of other ideas too.
A nice short session that shows how to plan for non tech situations
Equitable access is such an important consideration for educators. This module reminds us just this - when access is not equitable, we must ask ourselves “How do I teach this best with what I’ve got?”.
Digital divide and exclusion is not a myth. Let’s make sure we support learners in developing the essential digital skills they need to work and live in a digital global society.
Our remit as educators is to inspire growth and prepare learners to become independent thinkers ready for the world of work as best as we can within the constraints of the learning environment.
Such a huge topic area to cover but the context chosen worked well to bridge to other contexts and the focus on adding value to the pedagogy is spot on.
Login or signup to earn this badge!

This badge recognises that you have the level of knowledge to adopt new approaches to accessibility that will benefit your learners.