The Digital Classroom

Jeremy Brassington and Nicola Martin

Wednesday 19th June, 11:25-12:10

In this session we will explore how we can make learning more accessible using AI and digital technologies. We will look at current barriers to learning and explore how technology can make learning more inclusive.

Jeremy Brassington

Jeremy is co-founder and CEO of Habitat Learn. He sits on the Board of the Assistive Technology Industry Association and participates in the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Assistive Technology.

He is founder and co-owner of Conversor limited, an assistive listening device company founded in 2003, and has 21 years of developing software and hardware solutions for individuals who have barriers to learning and/or everyday living.

Habitat Learn is the largest independent company providing note taking and captioning services to neurodiverse students across North America and the UK. Habitat Learn has developed Messenger Pigeon note taking and captioning software to support neurodiverse students and Deaf or hard of hearing learners in the classroom. Messenger Pigeon is used by over 500 Higher Education institutions across North America and the UK.

Habitat Learn is part of the UK Governments UKRI initiative to develop Trustworthy AI and is working on an Innovate UK funded project with University of Southampton, Avanade, MicrolinkPC and Affiniti AI.

Professor Nicki Martin

Nicola studied at Newcastle Poly, Virginia, Manchester Met and Derby and has a PhD focussing on inclusive practice with autistic university students. Following over ten years of teaching and management in school and FE Nicola became a Divisional Head in Access and Lifelong Learning at the University of Derby before moving to Sheffield Hallam in 2005 to take up the roles of Head of the Disability and Wellbeing Service, Director of The Autism Centre and PL for Inclusive Practice. She moved onto a leadership role at the LSE in 2009 working on the equalities agenda and heading up the Disability and Wellbeing Service. In 2013 Nicola moved to LSBU as PL, Associate Professor Then Professor in Education. She is currently Professor of Social Justice and Inclusive Education.

Nicola has 35 years’ experience in education working with disabled pupils and students from nursery age to adults in FE and HE and an international research profile in the field. Her research interests are informed by emancipatory principles and include: universal design for inclusive learning, multi-agency collaboration, equality and diversity, critical disability /autism studies, mentoring and understanding bereaved parents and siblings.

Nicola is also a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge and Sheffield Hallam Universities, a National Teaching Fellow and a Fellow of the RSA.