Technology For Special Education Management
Every student can benefit from a personalized approach to their education. This is especially true for students who require special education services. Technology makes it easier for teachers to deliver an education that works with each student’s unique needs.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “in 2019–20, the number of students ages 3–21 who received special education services in the US under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was 7.3 million, or 14 percent of all public school students.”
Special needs kids sometimes have language and literacy struggles, neuromuscular coordination deficits, and trouble with mobility. Technology can help mitigate or eliminate these obstacles and improve the classroom experience for every student.
Research shows that special education students benefit from educational technology, especially in concept teaching and practice-feedback type instructional activities (Carter & Center, 2005; Hall, Hughes, & Filbert, 2000; Hasselbring & Glaser, 2000).
Virtual Learning
Classrooms are no longer constrained to brick and motor facilities; classrooms now can be anywhere there is an internet connection. Students with disabilities that cause them to miss school don’t need to fall behind on their schoolwork. Whether it’s as simple as using Zoom to call into their class or using dedicated software created for distance learning like iFunza, students learning outside of the physical classroom can stay on track.
Choosing a Great Technology Solution For Special Education
Special education software provides school teachers and administrators tools to manage the Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) of qualified special needs students. Some Factors to consider while evaluating technology for special education are:
Increase efficiency for teachers
Teachers use most of the technology in schools for instructional purposes. In addition, teachers play a pivotal role in facilitating the diffusion and the use of educational technology (Brinkerhoff, 2006; Inan & Lowther, 2010; Zhao & Frank, 2003).
An optimal technological solution should simplify the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) workflows for teachers and allow ease in reporting. It should also allow teachers to conveniently engage with students and parents while tracking, updating, and sharing progress. To fully realize the efficiency of a technological solution, it should be user-friendly, intuitive, and easy to master.
Offer multiple student/teacher interaction and feedback capabilities
Computer technologies that allow students to interact via alternative channels such as body gestures or touch screens can produce better learning results for students (Hwang, Wu & Fan-Ray, 2013). As learning continues outside of the classroom, a promising technology solution should allow teachers to interact and provide feedback to students wherever they are. Further, solutions available on multiple devices will enable teachers and students to adopt usage on their native instruments quickly.
Offer multiple student/teacher interaction and feedback capabilities
Computer technologies that allow students to interact via alternative channels such as body gestures or touch screens can produce better learning results for students (Hwang, Wu & Fan-Ray, 2013). As learning continues outside of the classroom, a promising technology solution should allow teachers to interact and provide feedback to students wherever they are. Further, solutions available on multiple devices will enable teachers and students to adopt usage on their native instruments quickly.
Individualized learning capability
No two students have the exact learning needs. All education, theoretically, should be tailored to the particular requirements, strengths, needs, and goals of individual students. This is especially true for kids with special needs. Good special education technology should allow teachers to provide customized resources perfectly suited for students’ needs.
Accessible, affordable, and user-friendly
Web-based solutions allow students to work largely at their own pace, taking rest breaks and time outs when needed. Remote access not only allows instructors to interact with the students in face-to-face virtual meetings as needed, but they can also exchange emails, discussion posts and even chat on-demand throughout the day.
When students cannot be at school physically, technology should allow them to receive real-time, high-quality, eminently customizable instruction.
Integrate with existing technology
While most modern technologies aim to offer as many solutions in one platform, there is the need to have an ability to integrate with other technologies through APIs. Good Special Education technology delivers efficiency by allowing ease in exchanging information between other existing systems if needed.
In Conclusion
Special education teachers can offer accessible, customized learning experiences specifically tailored to individual student needs through education technology. This means that students in special education programs can equally experience the wonders of learning and the pride of achievement. The iFunza platform allows students, teachers, and even parents the chance to explore cutting-edge technology and become comfortable with it to enable regular use in and outside of school. Our technology advocates and supports inclusionary practices for students of all abilities ink-12.