E-learning challenges and opportunities for students with special needs during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abdulhameed Talafha

doi:10.47577/tssj.v28i1.5660

Abstract

This empirical study aims to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the learning process of the students with special needs. In this context, the study focuses on addressing the challenges and opportunities that should be taken into account by teachers, especially after the emergence of ‘e-learning’ (also known as ‘distance education’ and/or ‘remote learning’) era. The study further intends to identify accessibility barriers and challenges to learning for students with special needs in the context of remote learning. It also aims to recommend a framework that, in addition to specifying the challenges, suggest several systematic responses and recovery for these challenges for the special education sector’s consideration. The study concluded that COVID-19 pandemic has made a substantial impact on the education sector. In fact, the pandemic has changed the way in which education is delivered. Students, parent or guardians, and teachers had to change the way they access, support or deliver education. The pandemic highlighted gaps in digital skills, adaptation of technology to teaching and learning.

Highlights

Background of the studyNowadays, the world is witnessing an educational crisis with an unprecedented enormous threats (Saavedra, 2020)
After moving to hybrid learning, the coordination of meetings with parents has become more flexible, due to the option to participate in the remote meeting (Boudreau, ibid). This empirical study aims to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the learning process of the students with special needs
The pandemic highlighted gaps in digital skills, adaptation of technology to teaching and learning. It has increased demand for technology and the need to integrate technology effectively into teaching and learning. With this increased demand in the use of technology and the gaps in digital skills identified, it is imperative for special education schools develop protocols and procedures and to train students, parent or guardians and staff in the use and integration of technology as well as virtual learning environments and synchronous teaching systems in teaching and learning through making online and virtual learning platforms accessible for all students with disabilities and special needs

Summary

Introduction

Background of the studyNowadays, the world is witnessing an educational crisis with an unprecedented enormous threats (Saavedra, 2020). Since its outbreak in December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused nearly 1.6 billion students in more than 190 countries in all of the world continents to stop attending schools and other educational institutions. Such closures were carried out as part of the precautionary measures taken by world’s countries to reduce the spread of the virus. The obstacles that cannot be ignored is that students with special needs face are due to many factors such as the lack of necessary equipment, internet access, and support that would allow them to pursue programs through digital education

Objectives

Findings

Conclusion