Primary School Teachers’ Knowledge of Assistive Technologies for Students with Dyslexia and Dysgraphia in Abu Dhabi

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the knowledge level of primary school teachers regarding their gender-based variations and the obstacles they face with using Assistive Technologies (ATs) for students suffering from dyslexia and dysgraphia in Abu Dhabi, UAE. For this purpose, a three-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to get teachers’ responses. The study’s main findings revealed that teachers have a high degree of knowledge about some of these technologies, such as highlighters, pen grips, voice recorders, and specific software applications. It also reveals significant gender differences in teachers’ knowledge of some of these technologies, with male teachers being more familiar with voice-based tools and female teachers being more familiar with visual and tactile tools. The most significant challenge was the short class timings, followed by the teachers’ lack of knowledge and training about the relevant ATs. This prevented primary school teachers from knowing ATs for students with dyslexia and dysgraphia. The findings contributed to the limited literature on gender knowledge levels and obstacles faced by teachers in using ATs for students with dyslexia and dysgraphia. Further, future directions for research are suggested.