Ditching paper: Digital tools transform inclusive education

Formalised approaches to inclusive education have quickly become the standard. So quickly in fact that many Australian schools are struggling to keep up with managing the increase in plans, forms and paperwork that come with these more comprehensive approaches. The need for personalised instruction often leads to increased use of paper-based systems which inherently cause silos, delays and errors.  

The evolution of learning support is a good thing, but unfortunately many schools are struggling to keep up. Luckily, there are digital tools for inclusive education available that provide the speed, accuracy and collaboration required for truly inclusive education. And they leave the inefficiencies of paper-based learning support in the dust.  

Paper’s limitations in inclusive education 

What’s so bad about a paper-based system? More than most schools realise. 

• Fragmented information: When plans and documentation are spread across folders, emails, SIS entries and even sticky notes, it’s impossible to get a complete, clear picture. A teacher might update a student’s plan on Monday, but the learning support aide doesn’t see it until days or possibly weeks later - if it even makes it into the right binder. 

• Delayed updates: Inclusive education requires fast action. When adjustments take days to circulate to all relevant stakeholders, the opportunity to provide timely support may already have passed. 

• Risk of error: Outdated information, limited version control, notes that mysteriously disappear and a lack of an audit trail are a breeding ground for mistakes. Without version control or an audit trail, compliance for NCCD and other reporting requirements becomes stressful guesswork rather than confident evidence. 

What impact does all of this have? Teachers lack timely insights, school leadership have limited visibility and learning support coordinators drown in admin. Gauging genuine progress? Forget about it. It’s impossible to see the forest for the trees - or in this case the reams of paper. 

The debate around paper vs digital in schools is about more than convenience; it directly affects inclusion, equity and outcomes. The real cost of inefficiencies isn’t overflowing filing cabinets; it’s students missing out on the right support at the right time. Unless information flows quickly and accurately to everyone who needs it, inclusive education can’t truly be achieved. That’s why so many schools are turning to digital tools for inclusive education to close the gap. 

The benefits of going digital 

The real benefits come from investing in digital tools for inclusive education, designed to remove admin barriers and unlock collaboration. Let’s take a closer look at some specific gains you can make for your school, staff and students.  

Centralised student profiles 

To make serious, lasting impact on your students’ learning support, you need a single source of truth for all plans, adjustments and evidence. Centralised student profiles allow learning support coordinators to streamline tracking, teachers to have instant access to complete info and school leaders to have full visibility.  

Collaboration tools 

When you are working with multiple stakeholders, it’s essential that you have the right collaboration tools in place; and a static piece of paper is not going to cut it. Communication between learning support coordinators, teachers, parents and external agencies needs to be seamless to be effective. Teachers want to minimise email chains, parents want clear involvement and learning support coordinators want everyone on the same (digital) page.  

Progress tracking & reporting 

To have the greatest impact, Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) need to be regularly reviewed and updated. Tracking and reporting on students’ progress is essential for improving student outcomes, as well as being a NCCD requirement. When school leaders can access audit-ready records, learning support coordinators can quickly create customised reports and teachers can track progress with ease and confidence, meeting tracking and reporting obligations becomes second nature.  

Customisable setup 

No two students are identical, and the same goes for their ILPs. You need editable templates, permission settings and custom fields to fit your school and your students, not the other way around. A fully customisable setup gives school leaders relevant and consistent data, reduces duplication for learning support coordinators and provides teachers and other supporting staff clarity and control. 

The future of inclusive education is digital 

The digital revolution of education is well and truly here. While a good old-fashioned binder may still have a soft spot in your heart, it’s time to let logic win. Paper-based systems for managing inclusive education are no longer adequate. They slow down collaboration and increase workload; both of which negatively impact student outcomes.  

It’s more than just saving time with a digital system; it’s about empowering staff to provide timely and consistent learning support in a way that can be easily reported on. When every stakeholder has the right information at the right time, inclusive education that makes a lasting impact on student outcomes is all the more achievable.  

The shift to digital tools reflects just how important inclusive education is to modern schools. By making the switch to a digital platform, in a matter of hours your school we see better collaboration, greater visibility and reduced admin.  

Tes Learning Pathways, our inclusive education software, enables schools nationwide to embrace the digital revolution and take control of their learning support. Learn more about how Learning Pathways can enhance your inclusive education strategy here.