Children with LD can face unique challenges in their academic life. The kind and severity of problems faced may vary from individual to individual. They may do well in some areas but poorly in others because of their learning disabilities. Some may be frequently confused about numbers and directions, so they need to learn in alternative ways. The covid-19 pandemic boosted the growth of e-learning systems. Hence, many special needs students have started using computers and mobile phones to take classes and do assignments. Some discussions were raised because of this ongoing trend in education.
We delve into some advantages of online classes and disadvantages of online learning to help parents decide if it is an option for their children.
Advantages
Rich Multimedia Exploration
An E-learning system enables teachers to produce teaching materials rich in images, audio, and video components. They can implement those media elements into their teaching strategies. For example, teachers can use text best in an e-learning system instead of a book. They can use text colour to emphasise and highlight the points.
Individualised Learning
LD students are different from each other in the aspects of comprehension skills and mathematical skills, depending on their severity. And undoubtedly, they need different learning materials and assessments to guide them during their learning journey.
Remedial Learning
First, teachers must identify the reasons behind the learning difficulties experienced by challenged learners. Then, they develop specific remedial learning strategies that address these difficulties, helping children achieve their expected level of competency in core academic skills like literacy and numeracy. This will also help to reduce feelings of inadequacy that can lead to behaviour or motivation issues. In a study conducted in Malaysia, reading modules via eLearning helped in increasing the language performance of participants.
Unlock More Learning Opportunities
Virtual learning platforms offer students different options for enrolling in courses online. Other than traditional syllabi like languages, mathematics, and history, there are a lot of courses that involve how those skills can be applied. For example, mathematics may be related to coding skills that may cultivate them into technology industry professionals in the future.
Disadvantages
Less Social Interaction With Teachers
Some students possess the ability to study independently, and they are proactively accessible to teachers even though they are far away from them. Although many students with LDs have normal IQs, they may feel disappointed in themselves when they cannot keep it up. Due to the long distance between the students, teachers may miss the signal when LD students feel discouraged.
More Screen Time
Excessive screen time can lead to physical ailments, like poor posture, headaches, and visual problems. The Internet is needed when using an e-learning system. This means that social media, online games, and Youtube are just a click away from learning materials. And so, parents and teachers need to take extra energy to monitor students with LDs to ensure they stay attentive.
Requires More Self-discipline
If students do not feel they are getting the proper guidance, they may not have enough self-discipline to fully engage in the lessons themselves. Teachers can choose to use tools like live quizzes that may help to keep students engaged. Other than that, parents also need to spend enormous time monitoring their learning progress and emotions.
Advices From Special Needs Educator
Some special educators have proposed a series of steps for designing courses for learning disabilities.
Step 1: Determine the capability of the learning disability student.
Many LD students have difficulty understanding and using languages and numbers, making them slower in building up certain concepts. A special needs teacher can identify LD students’ capabilities through diagnostic tests to cope with their existing academic dilemmas.
Step 2: Design specified teaching and learning strategies through an e-learning system for them.
Teachers can design specified teaching and learning materials according to their LDs. For example, with the installation of word processor apps on their e-learning system, students with dysgraphia will be able to “write” their homework instead of using handwriting. For dyslexic students, using an audiobook enables them to understand the content of their subjects and hence improve comprehension and application.
Step 3: Design assessment to measure their achievements.
Once the LD students have completed their learning, teachers can use some tech features and games to design specific assessments to accommodate their condition. For example, when assessing the student’s ability in the alphabet, teachers can request that they fill up the missing letter decks.
Step 4: Evaluate and determine the performance improvement.
Teachers can diversify the LD students into several groups based on the severity of their LDs. For example, mild types of LD students can take regular tests without extra consideration. Their testing time can be the same as normal students’. But for severe types of LD students, they may need extra large fonts and audio to guide them during e-tests.
Conclusion
E-learning systems may be the mainstream for learning new things in the future due to their accessibility and convenience. Technological capabilities have reached new heights, and many major concerns of students taking online classes have been addressed. For example, software like ScreenWatch monitors students’ computer activity and manages their web usage and access. Although there is currently no software specifically designed for LD students, many researchers, designers, and software developers have been looking into e-learning systems to fulfil the needs of LD students. In the future, we can anticipate the birth of various online learning tools for LD students and special needs students.
References:
- Pirani, Zainab & Molvizadah, Vasiqullah & Sayyed, Mohammad & Mukundan, Sasikumar. (2013). E-Learning Framework for Learning Disabled Children. International Journal of Computer Applications. 63. 38-42. 10.5120/10577-5703.
- https://decoda.ca/wp-content/uploads/LD-Simple-Assessment-and-Proven-Techniques-1.pdf
- https://www.foresttrailacademy.com/how-online-learning-is-helping-foster-individualized-learning.html
- Julia Dietrich, Franziska Greiner, Dorit Weber-Liel, Belinda Berweger, Nicole Kämpfe, Bärbel Kracke,Does an individualized learning design improve university student online learning? A randomized field experiment,Computers in Human Behavior,Volume 122,2021,106819.
- https://elearningindustry.com/multimedia-in-elearning-making-the-most-of-it
- Wu, Y. (2012). Remedial Learning. In: Seel, N.M. (eds) Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_1632
- https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1085.9919&rep=rep1&type=pdf