Critical Issues in Advancing the Special Education Technology Evidence Base

Abstract

The field of special education technology is devoted to a variety of activities that ultimately serve to augment, bypass, or compensate for a disability. Much like a kaleidoscope, perceptions of the field may be viewed through the reflection of multiple lenses. The three lenses of innovation, policy, and theory provide a mechanism for filtering, viewing, and using the special education technology research and practice knowledge base. This article examines characteristics of the emerging special education technology knowledge base when viewed through each of the three lenses. The intent is to provide readers with an analysis of qualities found in the emerging special education knowledge base in order to highlight critical issues needed to advance the evidence base of the field through future research, theory, development, policy, and practice.