Education experts advocate e-learning for children with special needs

Education experts have advocated for the adoption and inclusion of e-learning in the teaching of children with special needs.

The experts spoke in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, during the opening of the 34th national conference of the Nigeria Association of Special Education Teachers.

The conference has as its theme: “Application of e-learning in teaching and learning for learners with special needs in Nigeria”.

Olufemi Fakolade, dean of the faculty of education at the University of Ibadan, said the introduction of e-learning makes it possible for students with special needs to surmount problems associated with traditional learning.

“E-learning supports the inclusion in education of children with disabilities by enabling them to overcome some of the barriers causing their exclusion,” Fakolade said.

“It complements other face-to-face methods and tools, such as teacher training and inclusive pedagogy.

Christiana Dada of the faculty of education, Kwara state university who presented the lead paper titled “Best practices and implementation strategies in ICT usage for students with special needs”, noted the importance of adopting e-learning in teaching students with special needs.

“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,” she said.

Dada, a professor of special education, recommended training and sustaining teachers’ interests in ICT.

“The training of teachers needs to be modified to arouse their interests. They need to be sensitised right from the time they are in school until they are employed,” she said.

“The government and concerned stakeholders need to put resources together and this will be feasible.”

Catherine Atteng, the national president of the association, said the topic of the conference was in accordance with the international trend.

“It’s a globalized world and we cannot 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.

In a goodwill message, Christiana Abioye, permanent secretary of the ministry of education, restated the readiness of Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, to provide quality education for children with special needs and other members of the public.