Expert Seek e-Learning For Students With Special Needs

Special Education experts in Nigeria have advocated the inclusion and implementation of e-learning in special education teaching and learning across the country. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 34th National Conference of the Nigeria Association of Special Education Teachers, the experts stressed the need for utilising technology in teaching students with special needs.

The ongoing three-day conference with the theme 'Application of E-Learning in Teaching and Learning for Learners with Special Needs in Nigeria' commenced on June 6, 2023, at the Conference Hall, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Professor Olufemi Fakolade, Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, while giving her keynote presentation at the inaugural ceremony on Tuesday said the introduction helps students with special needs to overcome challenges peculiar to traditional learning forms. 

“E-learning supports the inclusion in education of children with disabilities by enabling them to overcome some of the barriers causing their exclusion. It complements other face-to-face methods and tools, such as teacher training and inclusive pedagogy,” she said.

In her address, Professor Christiana Dada of the Faculty of Education, Kwara State University, who presented the lead paper, titled, “Best Practises and Implementation Strategies in ICT Usage for Students with Special Needs,” noted that the obstacles related to adopting e-learning in teaching special needs students, although many, can be overcome.

“The use of ICT in the education of people with special needs is very important and possible in Nigeria when concerted efforts are made by the government and professionals,” Dada said.

She suggested that “The training of teachers needs to be modified to arouse their interest. They need to be sensitised right from the time they are in school until they are employed. The government and concerned stakeholders need to put resources together, and this will be feasible.” 

The National President of the association, Dr Catherine Atteng, stated that the theme of the conference was in line with the global trend.

“It’s a globalised world, and we can not continue the old ways. Everybody is deploying technology, and we can’t deprive these students with special needs the opportunity to be at par with their counterparts with disabilities across the world,” she said.

Dr Rasheed Abilu, the second lead paper presenter, had a different perspective on the e-learning challenge, providing data illustrating the situation of ICT in regular and special education classrooms nationwide.

Abilu's data showed that the majority of the computer labs in various schools across the nation are locked up and out of reach for students. 

“In other schools where computer laboratories are available, those computers are not made accessible to all clusters of students with disabilities.

"For instance, screen readers were not installed on those computers for the blind to access them, no alternative input devices, nor adaptive keyboards were provided in line with the individual’s special needs,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education in the state, Christiana Abioye, in her goodwill message, emphasised the dedication of the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde to education, especially for children with special needs in the state.