Technology to Support Your Learning

Assistive Technology Workshops & Drop-Ins

Workshops

Workshops are best when the student wants step by step practice and time to ask questions.

Workshop & Drop In Schedule

Assistive Technology Adviser appointments

Appointments are best when the student needs a one-on-one consultation, training and support.

Book an Appointment

Introducing Assistive Technology
Tools that make study easier

Assistive Technology tools can support reading, writing, planning, organisation and focus.

Goal: Increase awareness of tools and choose one tool to trial.

How to use assistive technology tools

The aim is not to cover lots of tools. One tool is enough. The goal is to match one barrier with one helpful tool.

Consider following the below steps to familiarise with one tool

Step 1 Identify the barrier

Start by asking what feels hardest right now in their study.

I can’t get started
I read it but nothing sticks
I know what I want to say but can’t write it
I lose focus once I open my laptop
I don’t know how to plan this task

Step 2 Name the main barrier

Naming the barrier helps make the problem feel clearer and more manageable.

starting tasks
reading and understanding content
writing or organising ideas
focus and attention
planning and keeping track

Step 3 Match one tool to the barrier

Review the below tools and select the one you think could reduce the barrier.

Tool map by what it supports

This helps you pick tools without guessing. Start with the function. Then choose one tool to trial.

Planning and task start

Goblin Tools: step by step breakdowns
Co-Pilot: AI task breakdown

Reading and understanding

NotebookLM: summaries and questions
Microsoft Read Aloud: reading

Notetaking

OneNote: Link
Genio: Link

Task Management

Todoist: Great for breaking projects into steps. Link
Microsoft To Do: Link

Writing and drafting

Copilot: structure and rephrasing
NotebookLM: pulling key points from notes
Microsoft Dictate: writing without barriers typing/spelling. Link

Focus and digital clutter

Microsoft Focus Mode: Link
Focus Keeper: Link
Clockify: Link
Focus mode: focus and distraction reduction settings
Tab Groups: organise, declutter and manage multiple browser tabs in Microsoft Edge and Chrome

Referencing and accuracy

Zotero: referencing and citation Link
ECU Referencing Guides Link

Core tools

Use these panels to check what a tool supports, when it may help, and what the next step could be.

Goblin Tools Task breakdown and clarity

What it supports

breaking a task into steps
making instructions clearer
reducing overwhelm at the start

When it may help

the student feels stuck starting
instructions feel vague
the task feels too big

Quick links

Open Goblin Tools

Short video

NotebookLM Reading support, summaries, questions

What it supports

summarising readings
finding key ideas
asking questions from uploaded documents

When it may help

heavy reading load
information overload
the student cannot tell what matters

Quick Links

Open NotebookLM

Short video (Placeholder)

Copilot Drafting, structure, rephrasing

What it supports

brainstorming ideas
drafting and rephrasing
structuring written work

When it may help

the student cannot start writing
ideas feel messy
the draft needs clearer structure

Important: Discover how to use generative AI ethically and responsibly with ECU's Generative AI in Learning guidance and workshops.

Quick Links

Access Co-Pilot @ ECU Academic Skill Centre Tips

Short video Workshops

Focus and Organisation Tools Reduce clutter and support focus

What it supports

less visual clutter
finding resources again
staying on one task longer

When it may help

lots of tabs open
the student loses track of pages
screen clutter feels distracting

Quick links

Open Windows Focus Open Microsoft Edge Tab Groups

Open iPhone Focus Open Safari Tab Groups

Support options

Workshops

Workshops are best when the student wants step by step practice and time to ask questions.

Workshops schedule

Assistive Technology Adviser appointments

Appointments are best when the student needs a one-on-one consultation, training and support.

Book an appointment

Choosing tools

There is no perfect tool. A tool is useful when it matches the student’s task and feels easy enough to use.

Not sure where to start? Here's how to choose the right tools:

Understand their style - Use the learner quiz in the Student Tool Kit to see what type of learner they are.

Open Learner Quiz

Know their needs - Use the AT Match to help match a tool to their needs.

Open Discover your AT Tool

Final thought

AT isn’t just about accommodation — it’s about empowerment. The right tech can help you manage tasks, reduce stress, and unlock the way students learn best.

Technology to Support Your Learning

Assistive Technology Workshops & Drop-Ins

Introducing Assistive TechnologyTools that make study easier

How to use assistive technology tools

Tool map by what it supports

Core tools

Support options

Choosing tools

Introducing Assistive Technology
Tools that make study easier