The Included Conversation - J2e - 'Turn access into independence'

What if the biggest barrier to learning isn't a disability, but the classroom?

'Turn access into independence, transforming all students into confident, lifelong learners.’

The "Included Conversation" podcast welcomed Charlie from Just2easy for a deep dive into the meaning of inclusion in education. The discussion highlighted a shift in educational mindset—moving away from a "one-size-fits-all" approach to one that is truly learner-centric. 

For Charlie, inclusion is fundamentally about access. She believes that inclusion in education means ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or potential barriers, can access the learning and the learning environment as a whole. To be truly inclusive, we need to know our children as individuals, understanding their unique needs and potential barriers, whether academic or physical. Children who are neurodivergent may struggle to enter the classroom or stay in it, so it's essential to leverage all the knowledge we have about our children to create a learning environment where they can feel safe, learn, and thrive.

‘It has to be completely child-led and not just who the child is on paper.’

A truly inclusive approach enables educators to:

• See the Child, Not the Label: True inclusion demands that educators understand the specific, personal needs and strengths of each individual student.
• Recognise the Whole Barrier: Inclusion must actively address the often-overlooked social and emotional barriers. 
• Design for Safety and Success: Deliberately craft a safe, supportive learning environment—a space where every child feels empowered, can fully engage, and is set up to thrive as a lifelong learner.

How can  J2e, via the LGfL platform, support inclusive practice?

Just2easy (J2e) is an award-winning cloud platform with a suite of online tools and games for UK primary schools.

It is available free to all LGfL subscription schools as part of the service.

It helps teachers deliver the curriculum and makes it easy for children to be creative, learn to code, practice maths and literacy, collaborate, and complete homework, all in one safe place. It also includes tools for teacher assessment and parental engagement. 

There are many aspects to the J2e suite of tools that lend themselves to inclusive practice. 

• Speech-to-Text (Dictation):  students speak their words, which are then converted into text on the page.

• Text-to-Speech (Read Aloud): Typed or shared words can be read aloud, supporting students with reading difficulties, dyslexia, or those who require hearing the text to comprehend it. It's also useful for proofreading work.

• Word Banks: The tools offer topic-based word lists that students can click on to insert words into their writing.  Teachers can also create and share personalised word lists.

• Voice Recording: Students can record their ideas or add sound files to their work. Teachers can also use it to give audio instructions or feedback.

• Multi-Lingual Support: The accessibility features and tool suite are designed to be multilingual, which is essential for supporting EAL students and multilingual schools.

• Dyslexia-Friendly Options: Features like the ability to change the background colour of the canvas and use specific dyslexic friendly fonts like lexham

Further information concerning accessibility features within the J2E platform may be obtained by referencing the complete LGfL accessibility resource

         IncludED accessibility | LGFL

‘Technology is not cheating. ’ 

If the true goal is for a child to communicate their ideas, then the means of recording those ideas should not become the primary barrier. J2e helps remove these barriers, as pupils can select the most effective way to use their tools to record and present their work and thinking. Technology provides the opportunity to edit and refine their work in ways that paper does not, giving them a greater chance to produce quality work. 

'Universal Design for Learning, empowering every student and transforming classrooms with UDL strategies'

Just 2 Easy is LGfL's longest-serving curriculum partner, and it continues to develop its open-ended, creative toolkits, providing essential support for evolving pedagogical approaches, such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) advice for teachers. 

J2E is fundamentally designed to align with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework by providing built-in flexibility and accessibility features across the three core principles of UDL -

• Multiple Means of Representation (The "What" of Learning)

  J2E ensures all students can perceive and comprehend information by offering content in customizable and sensory-diverse ways.

• Multiple Means of Action & Expression (The "How" of Learning)

  J2E provides varied routes for students to navigate the learning environment and demonstrate their knowledge, 

• Multiple Means of Engagement (The "Why" of Learning)

  The platform incorporates features that motivate students, foster collaboration, and encourage sustained effort and self-regulation

It is clear that inclusion is about access and independence, and by utilising empowering tools like the J2e platform, we remove the obstacles—such as handwriting or spelling anxiety—that prevent a child’s true brilliance from being recognised and by equipping teachers and empowering students to take charge of their own accessibility needs, we can ensure that every classroom is a - 

‘safe, dynamic space where every child is set up to thrive as a confident, lifelong learner.’