Recommendations to Improve Education for Students with Autism through Distance Learning Strategies and Assistive Technologies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Dr. Dalliah Alkhoui
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Classroom Environment ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Instructional Materials ◽  
Educational Challenges ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Students With Autism

The COVID-19 pandemic has created new educational challenges and presented new opportunities for educators and students with learning disabilities, especially due to the increased awareness and focus on inclusive education. While extensive research has been done on effective strategies for teaching students with autism in an inclusive classroom environment, there is minimal research conducted on strategies for distance learning education for students with autism. This group is at a higher risk of being excluded from online education compared to their peers who have no learning difficulties. Recommended strategies for enhancing effective online education for students with autism include strategies for developing instructional materials. Another is collaborative engagements with all stakeholders to develop an understanding of each student’s strengths and weaknesses. The other is the provision of teacher training and continuous professional development. Next up is developing strategies for creating effective home-based learning environments such as providing all the required infrastructure for online learning. Finally, are strategies for instructional delivery such as the use of effective assistive technologies such as Zoom, collaboration with caregivers, and ensuring the active engagement of the students during instruction delivery.

scholarly journals Switching to Fully Online EFL Learning Environments: An exploratory study on learners’ perceptions

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-42
Author(s):  
Marco Cancino ◽  
Daniel Avila
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Instructional Materials ◽  
Teaching Presence ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Research Findings

One aspect of online classes that has recently experienced a paradigm shift is fully online language environments (FOLEs) – that is, learning settings where 100% of the content of the class is being delivered online. The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) outbreak in 2020 called for the use of fully online teaching in schools and universities in many countries due to confinement measures. Accordingly, schools have made extraordinary efforts towards implementing home-based schooling and delivered online courses to their students during the pandemic. In many universities, online platforms such as Blackboard Collaborate are being used to fulfil the need to keep up with the requirements of academic programmes. However, research findings addressing specific FOLE platforms are scarce, with even fewer studies focusing on learners’ engagement perceptions in those settings. Therefore, the purpose of this mixed-methods exploratory study was to delve into aspects involved in engagement, such as participation, group work, instructional materials, and learning strategies, regarded as key factors influencing the success of FOLEs. Thus, a FOLE questionnaire was administered to 54 EFL university learners, which was followed by semi-structured interviews conducted with seven participants. Our analysis drew from FOLE engagement research (Sun, 2014) and the community of inquiry (CoI) framework (Garrison & Arbaugh, 2007; Garrison et al., 2000). The main findings revealed that the poor interactions with peers and the lack of peer rapport negatively influenced the social presence of students (Garrison & Arbaugh, 2007), that the instructor can use teaching presence to increase student awareness of the relevance of the online environment and overcome adaptation issues (Kebritchi et al., 2017), and that teaching presence can help increase cognitive presence and facilitate effective interactions with the content. Implications for pedagogy were put forward as part of a FOLE approach.

scholarly journals Faculty Perceptions Of Distance Education Courses: A Survey

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Totaro ◽  
John R. Tanner ◽  
Thomas Noser ◽  
Jeanne Fuselier Fitzgerald ◽  
Rachelle Birch
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Classroom Environment ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Faculty Perceptions ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
Education Courses

This paper discusses the results of a study of the perceptions of a national sample of business faculty members from various business disciplines regarding distance (online) education and teaching distance education courses.  In the past few years, distance learning programs have become very popular, and the number of offerings continues to increase.  However, distance learning courses offer significant differences from the classic classroom environment.  The results of this study suggest that the offering of online courses in business is still in the early or developmental stages, and that only a small percentage of the respondents indicate that they would teach online courses in the future.

Site as a tool for pedagogical support of parents of students with autism spectrum disorder

2020 ◽  
pp. 46-51
Author(s):  
M. V. Kolmakova
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Educational Organization ◽  
Education Environment ◽  
Students With Autism ◽  
A Site

The article considers an innovative form of interaction between an educational organization and parents of students with autism spectrum disorder in inclusive education environment. A site developed by the author is presented, on the basis of which it is planned to implement pedagogical support for parents of students with autism spectrum disorder. The structure and approximate content of such a site are described. Each section of the site corresponds to certain areas of activity within the framework of pedagogical support of parents.

University of Zululand Library and Inclusive Education: Responding to the Needs of Students with Disabilities

Mousaion ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothy Eneya ◽  
Dennis N. Ocholla ◽  
Bertha Janneke Mostert
Keyword(s):  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Equal Access ◽  
Disability Policy ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Education Agenda ◽  
The University

This paper investigates the University of Zululand Library’s response to the university’s inclusive education agenda with respect to the accessibility of library services to students with disabilities. This was a qualitative study within the interpretive paradigm that used Michael Oliver’s social model of disability as an underpinning theory. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from students with disabilities and library staff. In addition, physical inspection of the library building was also conducted. Data analysis was done by thematic analysis. The study reveals that the University of Zululand Library services are not inclusive. Students with disabilities struggle to access library services. They faced such challenges as inaccessibility of library services, unavailability of resources in alternative formats and assistive technologies, and the lack of a disability policy. The study also found that the library faced the following challenges in providing services for students with disabilities: limited funding, a lack of staff awareness and training, the lack of a disability policy and a lack of collaboration. Formulating regulations to enforce the implementation of disability policy and legislation, developing institutional disability policies, and providing assistive technologies are critical in ensuring the accessibility of library services to students with disabilities at the University of Zululand. Unless students with disabilities have equal access to information, the university’s inclusive education agenda will remain a distant dream. Access to academic library services is critical to the full participation of students with disabilities in education. Likewise, inclusive university education can only be realised when students with disabilities have equal access to information. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities, which promote equal access to services and facilities to persons with disabilities. This paper raises awareness for both library staff and university management about the current status of library facilities and services with respect to accessibility for students with disabilities and how to address inclusiveness in library service provision.

Effects and Risks of Distance Learning in Higher Education

2020 ◽  
pp. 61-73
Author(s):  
Yu. M. Tsygalov
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
First Results ◽  
Spread Of Infection ◽  
The Cost

The forced work of Russian universities remotely in the context of the pandemic (COVID-19) has generated a lot of discussion about the benefits of the new form of education. The first results were summed up and reports were presented, the materials of which showed that the main goal of online education — the prevention of the spread of infection, - has been achieved. Against this background, proposals and publications have appeared substantiating the effectiveness of the massive introduction of distance learning in Russia, including in higher education. However, the assessment of such training by the population and students in publications and in social networks was predominantly negative and showed that the number of emerging problems exceeds the possible benefits of the new educational technology. Based on the analysis of the materials of publications and personal experience of teaching online, the potential benefits and problems of distance learning in higher education in Russia are considered. It is proposed to consider the effects separately for the suppliers of new technology (government, universities) and consumers (students, teachers, society). It is substantiated that the massive introduction of online education allows not only to reduce the negative consequences of epidemics, but also to reduce budgetary funding for universities, optimize the age composition of teachers, and reduce the cost of maintaining educational buildings. However, there will be a leveling / averaging of the quality of education, and responsibility for the quality of training will shift from the state/universities to students. The critical shortcomings of online education are the low degree of readiness of the digital infrastructure, the lack of a mechanism for identifying and monitoring the work of students, information security problems, and the lack of trust in such training of the population. The massive use of online education creates a number of risks for the country, the most critical of which is the destruction of the higher education system and a drop in the effectiveness of personnel training. The consequences of this risk realization are not compensated by any possible budget savings.

scholarly journals A comparison of three interactive examination designs in active learning classrooms for nursing students

BMC Nursing ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Ahlstrom ◽  
Christopher Holmberg
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Active Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Undergraduate Nursing ◽  
Chi Squared

Abstract Background Despite the advantages of using active learning strategies in nursing education, researchers have rarely investigated how such pedagogic approaches can be used to assess students or how interactive examinations can be modified depending on circumstances of practice (e.g., in online education). Aims The aim was to compare three interactive examination designs, all based on active learning pedagogy, in terms of nursing students’ engagement and preparedness, their learning achievement, and instructional aspects. Methods A comparative research design was used including final-year undergraduate nursing students. All students were enrolled in a quality improvement course at a metropolitan university in Sweden. In this comparative study to evaluate three course layouts, participants (Cohort 1, n = 89; Cohort 2, n = 97; Cohort 3, n = 60) completed different examinations assessing the same course content and learning objectives, after which they evaluated the examinations on a questionnaire in numerical and free-text responses. Chi-squared tests were conducted to compare background variables between the cohorts and Kruskal–Wallis H tests to assess numerical differences in experiences between cohorts. Following the guidelines of the Good Reporting of a Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS), a sequential mixed-methods analysis was performed on the quantitative findings, and the qualitative findings were used complementary to support the interpretation of the quantitative results. Results The 246 students who completed the questionnaire generally appreciated the interactive examination in active learning classrooms. Among significant differences in the results, Cohort 2 (e.g., conducted the examination on campus) scored highest for overall positive experience and engagement, whereas Cohort 3 (e.g., conducted the examination online) scored the lowest. Students in Cohort 3 generally commended the online examination’s chat function available for use during the examination. Conclusions Interactive examinations for nursing students succeed when they are campus-based, focus on student preparation, and provide the necessary time to be completed.

Can pictorial narration offer a solution to teacher training on the effective inclusion of students with autism spectrum disorder in low-resource settings? Investigation on knowledge and stigma change

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132098489
Author(s):  
Hui Min Low ◽  
Tze Peng Wong ◽  
Lay Wah Lee ◽  
Somchay Makesavanh ◽  
Bountheing Vongsouangtham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Teacher Training ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Developed Country ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Students With Autism ◽  
Effective Inclusion

The main aim of this article is to explore whether pictorial narration could offer a solution to teacher training on the effective inclusion of students with autism spectrum disorder in a low-resource context in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. For this purpose, pre- and post-training knowledge data were collected from 87 Laotian teachers who participated in teacher training using a pictorial narrative e-module called The Story of KhamdyTM. The teacher training included a half-day orientation workshop, followed by 4 weeks of online learning. Statistically significant improvement in autism spectrum disorder knowledge and reduction in autism spectrum disorder stigma was recorded for the teachers after completing the teacher training. The findings on social validity pointed to high acceptance toward the pictorial narrative method and the content designed for the purpose of this training. The teachers’ acceptance of the training method was found to have positive effects on their knowledge changes in the diagnosis and etiology aspects of autism spectrum disorder knowledge. The findings supported the use of a pictorial narration approach in imparting knowledge about inclusive education and autism spectrum disorder to teachers in a least developed country. The findings offered insights to explain the knowledge change and stigma reduction recorded. Lay abstract In this study, we explored whether pictorial narration could offer a solution to teacher training on effective inclusion of students with autism spectrum disorder in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. For this purpose, pre- and post-training knowledge data were collected from 87 Laotian teachers who participated in teacher training using a pictorial narrative e-module called The Story of KhamdyTM. The teachers’ knowledge test results and feedback were analyzed. The findings indicated that teachers’ acceptance toward the training method had positive effects on their knowledge changes and supported the use of a pictorial narration approach in imparting knowledge about inclusive education and autism spectrum disorder to teachers in a least developed country.

The HEXACO, academic motivation and learning approaches: evidence from a central Asian country

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monowar Mahmood ◽  
Yuliya Frolova ◽  
Bhumika Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Classroom Environment ◽  
Academic Motivation ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Motivation And Learning

PurposePersonality traits are assumed to influence cognitive processes as well as academic motivation and learning approaches of the students. Based on these assumptions, the present study investigates the association of HEXACO personality traits with academic motivation as well as influence of those traits on students' learning approaches in educational contexts.Design/methodology/approachSelf-reported measures of personality orientation, academic motivation and learning approaches were obtained from 404 respondents in a classroom environment. The SPSS 20 software was used to conduct the correlations and the hierarchical regression analyses. The Eviews 10 software was used to develop the structural equation model to find the inter-relations among the study variables.FindingsThe findings reveal the influence of personality traits on academic motivation and learning approaches of the students. Among different personality traits, consciousness appeared to have highly positive impact on deep learning and intrinsic motivation of the studies. Neuroticism appeared to have most negative impact related to surface learning and amotivation of the learning contents.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings validates the existence of HEXACO personality traits among the students in central Asian context. It future reiterated individual differences in learning strategies and learning motivation among the learners. The results may help academics and policy makers take appropriate measures to increase academic motivation and select appropriate learning approaches.Originality/valueThis is one of the pioneer studies to investigate the relationship between HEXACO personality traits, learning strategies and academic motivation. Validation of the HEXACO framework will help to understand students' personality in a more detailed and elaborative way and will contribute to the existing literature on personality and learning outcomes.

Edukacja cyfrowa w zdalnym nauczaniu

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (23) ◽  
pp. 49-58
Author(s):  
Bożena Majewicz
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
The State ◽  
Educational Activity ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Remote Education ◽  
School Closures ◽  
Short Time

The state of education in Poland and its functioning was exposed by the coronavirus pandemic which contributed to school closures and enforced a transition to distance learning. There was a need to look for alternative ways of distance education in which teachers played a special role. Some of them had to learn new skills related to distance education at all levels of education in a short time. In the period when schools are closed or their functioning is limited, the competences they possess play an important role in the educational activity of teachers, among which IT and media competences become particularly important. The considerations presented in the article relate to online education, with particular attention to its necessary aspects occurring both on the side of school and students’ homes. A review of studies on remote education during the pandemic has been made.

Instructional Resources and Effective Pedagogy of Financial Accounting in Secondary Schools, Lagos, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 94-108
Author(s):  
Olusegun Ezekiel Alao ◽  
Mary John Ukpong
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Instructional Materials ◽  
Instructional Resources ◽  
Effective Pedagogy ◽  
Lagos State ◽  
Senior Secondary Schools ◽  
Senior Secondary

Students’ poor Financial Accounting performance in senior secondary schools is worrisome and induces youths to engage in several social vices. An attempt to curb the menace and improve students’ performance led this study to assess the instructional resources and effective pedagogy of Financial Accounting in secondary schools in Lagos State, Nigeria. Adopting the descriptive survey research design, the population of the study comprised 2,492 senior secondary schools 1 and 2 students and 10 teachers of Financial Accounting under Education District IV in Lagos State, Nigeria. 300 students and all the 10 teachers eventually emerged as samples using Checkmarket Sample Size Calculator at 5% margin and 95% confidence level. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire that obtained Cronbach’s Alpha=0.90, and analysed using descriptive analysis and t-test at α=0.05 level of significance. The results showed that the teachers of Financial Accounting were not using activity-based pedagogical strategies. Most of the instructional materials necessary for the effective pedagogy of Financial Accounting were inadequate and malfunctioning. Therefore, Financial Accounting teachers are strongly encouraged to apply innovative and experiential learning strategies in teaching and learning. Furthermore, adequate infrastructure and modern equipment in the schools will create better learning opportunities for students.

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