On November 6, 2024, a conference entitled “The Use of Modern Technologies in Special Education. The Role of a Special Education Institution in Inclusive Education” was held at Powiatowy Zespół Szkół i Placówek Specjalnych. It was organized by Powiatowy Zespół Szkół i Placówek Specjalnych and Powiatowe Centrum Edukacji i Kształcenia Kadr in Bolesławiec. The event brought together headteachers of special schools and institutions, psychological and pedagogical counseling staff, and local government authorities, including Bolesławiec County Head Tomasz Gabrysiak, Deputy County Head Patryk Hałka, Chair of the County Council Maciej Małkowski together with his deputy Antoni Stec, and Board Member Alina Zarembecka, as well as Lower Silesian Superintendent of Education Ewa Skrzywanek.
The conference aimed to familiarize participants with ideas for using modern technologies in special education and to present experiences concerning the operation and implementation of inclusive education in schools and institutions.
“The world will not turn back. New technologies will occupy an increasingly large part of our lives, and independent living—living in the modern world without new technologies—is essentially already impossible today. We want our students to be as independent as possible in several or a dozen years, and today it is difficult to imagine this independence without the ability to navigate the digital world. I think that this conference and the views expressed here will help us plan for the near future. What can we do to make our schools innovative and modern in this area, and ensure that they do not fall below European or global standards?” said Bolesławiec County Head Tomasz Gabrysiak.
During the conference, numerous topics related to new technologies in education and changes in inclusive education were discussed. The speakers’ presentations included examples of using Photon educational robots, educational applications, and tools supporting communication. Participants had the opportunity to learn about innovative teaching methods that make it possible to adapt materials to students’ individual needs.
The conference concluded with a summary of the key findings and an outline of further directions for using modern technologies in special education. Participants expressed hope that future events of this kind would serve to exchange experiences and provide inspiration for further work for the benefit of students with disabilities, as well as contribute to the development of inclusive education.