Mobile Learning Technology Based on iOS Devices to Support Students with Special Education Needs

Autor/inn/en	Fernandez-Lopez, Alvaro; Rodriguez-Fortiz, Maria Jose; Rodriguez-Almendros, Maria Luisa; Martinez-Segura, Maria Jose
Titel	Mobile Learning Technology Based on iOS Devices to Support Students with Special Education Needs
Quelle	In: Computers & Education, 61 (2013), S.77-90 (14 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0360-1315
DOI	10.1016/j.compedu.2012.09.014
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Electronic Learning; Educational Needs; Student Needs; Individualized Instruction; Learning Motivation; Learner Engagement; Student Motivation; Cognitive Ability; Special Education; Educational Technology; Multimedia Materials; Computer Assisted Instruction; Handheld Devices; Computer Interfaces; Computer Software; Computer Software Evaluation; Assistive Technology; Instructional Design; Computer System Design; Instructional Effectiveness; Pretests Posttests; Spain + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Educational need; Bildungsbedarf; Individualisierender Unterricht; Motivation for studies; Lernmotivation; Schulische Motivation; Denkfähigkeit; Special needs education; Sonderpädagogik; Sonderschulwesen; Unterrichtsmedien; Computer based training; Computerunterstützter Unterricht; Softwareanalyse; Lesson concept; Lessonplan; Unterrichtsentwurf; Unterrichtserfolg; Spanien
Abstract	Students with special education have difficulties to develop cognitive abilities and acquire new knowledge. They could also need to improve their behavior, communication and relationships with their environment. The development of customizable and adaptable applications tailored to them provides many benefits as it helps mold the learning process to different cognitive, sensorial or mobility impairments. We have devised a mobile platform (based on iPad and iPod touch devices), called "Picaa" and designed to cover the main phases of the learning process: preparation, use and evaluation. It includes four kinds of educational activities (Exploration, Association, Puzzle and Sorting), which can be personalized by educators at content and user interface levels through a design mainly centered on student requirements, whose user profiles can also be adapted. We have performed a pre-experimental study about the use of "Picaa" by 39 students with special education needs from Spain, including an evaluation based on pre/post testing. The use of the learning platform "Picaa" is associated with positive effects in the development of learning skills for children who have special educational needs, observing that the basic skills (language, math, environmental awareness, autonomy and social) have been improved. Besides, in many cases they have the opportunity to perform activities that previously were not accessible to them, because of the interface and contents of the activities have been adapted specifically to them. The study also suggests that the repertoire of types of activities provided is suitable for learning purposes with students with impairments. Finally, the use of electronic devices and multimedia contents increases their interest in learning and attention. (Contains 4 tables and 5 figures.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10