Allowing a convenient and enriching educational journey for the students suffering from disabilities, online learning can be a perfect educational platform for students. Not only it removes discouragement by warding off fear and hesitation, e-learning can be a good platform for the specially-abled students to learn at their own pace. They can search and research about any topic they want and can get their doubts clarified without being judged continuously. As the world has shifted to online learning or e-learning mode owing to the devastation caused by pandemic, it’s the specially-abled students who took time to get adjusted with the new-norms of teaching and learning.
This article focuses on various points by emphasizing on how online learning platforms can be more beneficial for the students with special needs.
- Convenient Learning through Text and Subtitles: Digital contents are often designed with specific subtitles that enable students with hearing imperfections to learn seamlessly. It is necessary to align the subtitles appropriately with the videos so that the students won’t face any confusion while learning.
- Addition of Proper Audio: Similarly, audios are necessary for the students who are visually impaired. As the screens will be flat surfaces, the students will be solely depending on the audios for learning. If the audios are slow and each term is properly pronounced, the students will be able to connect with the subject.
- Enabling Flexible Learning Times: Online learning can enable students with flexible learning times and they can learn as per their convenience. The same goes for specially-abled students as well, because this feature can ease of their burden to many extents. They can not only learn at their convenient time they can refer to the subject material as and when required. This flexible learning strategy can certainly accelerate the pace of getting acquainted with the e-learning platforms.
- Offering Easily Accessible Learning Materials: Owing to rapid intervention of technology and digitization, the students with special needs can access the study materials as and when required. Technology can certainly design a customized educational platform for them which suits their learning style. Through these platforms not only they will be more effectively connected with their educators but will also able to upload and download materials easily for timely evaluation. The conduit between the students and teachers will be easier and accessible through the seamless flow of learning materials.
- Timely Social Interaction: Students with special needs need to be adequately cared for during this pandemic as they are more prone to get affected by this COVID-19. As we engage ourselves with various things and platforms to minimize the social distance between us and our friends, things are definitely not the same for them. While learning through social media, the specially-abled students get to interact with their trainers, teachers and fellow students which keeps them miles away from feeling depressed.
As the world continues to grow, each surge of growth comes with innovative and novel technologies that were once unbelievable. With the help of the Internet and digitization, online learning has changed the course of learning for many students. For students who need special care and attention, it has emerged as a benevolent platform equipped with all the necessary technologies to address their shortcomings.
