Presenter

Claire Huijnen, PhD, Research Centre on Assistive Technology in Care, Zuyd University, Heerlen, the Netherlands; Living Lab in Assistive Technology for Independency; Living lab for educational opportunities and inclusion

Nardie Fanchamps, PhD, Assistant Professor, Research Group Lead Educational Robotics, Computational Thinking & STEM-learning, Educational Sciences, Technology Enhanced Learning Innovations TELI, Open University The Netherlands 

Heike Gerger, PhD, Assistant Professor Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Faculty of Psychology , Open University of the Netherlands 

Larissa van der Leek, student at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences

Lisa Bosgoed, PhD candidate, Policy advisor education and quality, Berkenschutse, the Netherlands

Thematic area

Emerging technologies to promote inclusion and participation in education

Abstract

This educational session explores the potential of emerging technologies to promote inclusion and participation in education. Using the World Café methodology, the session invites educators, technologists, researchers, and policymakers to engage in collaborative dialogue around three key questions:

1. Which educational technologies hold promise for promoting inclusion and participation? What are opportunities and good practices? 
2. Which barriers and facilitators affect the implementation of educational technologies in the school context? 
3. Which strategies may foster a successful implementation of educational technology into educational contexts?

Conference participants will rotate between discussion rounds, co-creating insights that will be synthesized and shared in a plenary reflection. The session is designed not only to foster peer learning and exchange but also to generate empirical data for a potential follow-up project or scientific publication. With informed consent, anonymized notes and observations from the session will be thematically analyzed to uncover stakeholder perspectives on the inclusive use of technology in education.

This session bridges the gap between theory and practice, and between research and real-world challenges, by engaging the audience as co-creators of knowledge. It is ideally suited for professionals interested in inclusive design, technology-supported education, and participatory methods.

Target audience

Educators, researchers, technologists, assistive technology developers, and policymakers interested in inclusive education and the role of emerging technologies.

Learning outcomes of the session

• Identify key opportunities and challenges associated with the integration of technology in educational settings in order to increase inclusivity and individual development.
• Reflect critically on enablers and barriers that influence participatory and inclusive education by means of technology usage.
• Formulate strategies for meaningful implementation and integration of technologies that foster participation and inclusion for all learners (implementation enablers).

Special requirements

None