We Learn Together: Nina’s Colourful Keyboard Brings Joy to the Whole Class
Learning Without Limits
- Srpski
- English
Cacak/Uzice, December 2024 – Twelve-year-old Nina, with her bright smile and warm, expressive eyes, is a fifth-grade student at Sveti Sava Primary School in Cacak. Her favourite subject is geography, and she is especially captivated by lessons about the solar system.
Recently, attending classes has become a bit easier—particularly during IT lessons—thanks to a keyboard adapted to her needs.
“I was so excited because the keyboard is colourful, big, and has large letters,” Nina says with enthusiasm. “Using it in class made typing much easier for me, and I was able to type much faster.”
Nina’s IT teacher, Sladjana Stamenkovic, recalls the moment Nina first saw the keyboard.
Nina’s reaction stayed with me—it was so clear how much she liked it. The keyboard is colourful, with colours that are just right for Nina. I think it’s very inspiring for her. It helps her follow lessons more easily and motivates her to give her best effort.
Nina’s specialised keyboard is part of the assistive technology provided through the We Learn Together inclusive education project, implemented by the Ministry of Education with support from UNICEF and the European Union
According to her teacher, Nina has already shown noticeable progress in just a few lessons.
“It’s been especially beneficial for her motor skills. She works faster now, and we believe she’ll continue to improve with more practice. She quickly recognises vowels, which are highlighted in different colours and are the keys she uses the most.”
In the near future, Nina will be able to use the keyboard in other subjects and at home to complete her homework.
Children with disabilities use speech software, which they use at school and home—for completing assignments, preparing for tests, or listening to books.
Sandra Sobotovic, a special education teacher at the Miodrag V. Matic Resource Centre in Uzice, confirms that assistive technology has brought significant progress to inclusive education.
“It has made things much easier for both special educators and teachers. Before assistive technology, we had to come up with solutions ourselves.”
Assistive technologies provided through the We Learn Together project enable children to participate in quality inclusive education.
“Through the We Learn Together project, implemented by the Ministry of Education with support from UNICEF and the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia, we received a significant amount of assistive technology. As part of the project’s activities, we visited 25 schools across four districts to support inclusive education. On-site, we were able to assess the specific needs of children for assistive technology, provide them with these tools, and make their learning and schoolwork easier,” concludes Sandra Sobotovic, a special education teacher.
