Partner Article

North West Students Pioneer Use of Communication Technology

A specialist college in Manchester is using technology to allow young people with a range of special education needs to communicate as never before.

Students at Bridge College in Openshaw are among the first in the country to use remote software tools often used by businesses and IT helpdesk so they can learn with their peers.

Technology experts at the college have adapted the systems for a specialist classroom environment, allowing multiple students to interact together whatever their individual needs.

The approach works by making it possible for students to ‘plug in’ their own specialist communication aids into a single screen or 4D space so they can work together on projects.

Commenting on the development, Lisa Duncalf, principal of Bridge College, said: “It’s really important that our students can collaborate and work together, but this has previously been a struggle. By using the technology in this way, students can interact and thrive off each other – it makes their learning experience much richer and more fulfilling.”

Bridge College, which is operated by charity, the Together Trust, will be inviting people to experience its facilities firsthand in the coming weeks at two open days: the first on 28th February from 11am to 1pm and again on 4th March from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

Bridge College is a regional centre of excellence in the education of young people from 16-25 who have learning difficulties and disabilities including autism, communication difficulties, complex needs and acquired brain injury.

For further information or to register your interest in Bridge College, please contact Bridge College on 0161 487 4293.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Together Trust .