USE OF ICT IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION FORSTUDENTS WITH SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITIES (SLD) IN THE POST-PANDEMIC ERA: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

With the spread of the global health crisis due to Covid-19 followed by the lockdown, there has been a significant surge in usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in educational institutions especially Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs), across the globe. Such digital tools support the advancement of both typical and neurodiverse students such as those Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SwSLD) who need additional support through content modification, adaptability, and accommodation due to the numerous unique challenges faced by them in academics. ICT has played a pivotal role in facilitating digital adoption and adaptation, offering diverse avenues for content acquisition, assimilation, and retention. In the present chapter ICT and its use for imparting mathematical curriculum to Students with Specific Learning Disabilities has been explored using a narrative review of literature and an attempt has been made to gather evidence regarding its utility towards maximizing learning outcomes. The findings indicate that the efficiency of ICT tools towards enhancing and enriching the learning experiences of students is universally acknowledged, however there is under-utilization of ICT among SwSLD, owing to lack of awareness, absence of required skills among teachers and lack of research focus in this area. The present chapter indicates that ICT is viewed as a useful educational resource with demonstrated motivational benefits, heightened participation levels, and efficacy in reinforcing concepts through engaging electronic computerized games, simulated activities, immediate feedback, and other interactive elements especially in the teaching of mathematics curriculum. Moreover, it serves as an effective time-saving tool for both students and educators. The study recommends the need for more studies focusing on use of ICT in mathematics training for students with Learning Disabilities to help cater to their specific needs and maximize learning, especially in the post pandemic era