Strategies and Challenges to Teaching Students with Special Needs during a Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to immediate school closures resulting in online learning. Online learning under such circumstances has presented challenges for teachers of students with mild to extensive support needs. The current study interviewed twenty special education teachers about the strategies they used when teaching online and the challenges they faced. Teachers discussed several strategies including the use of direct instruction, providing active engagement, caregiver involvement, and their frequent use of informal assessments. Challenges included time constraints and student inattention. Findings of this study can be used to inform strategies to use when teaching students with special needs online and in future online emergency teaching environments.

Organization of an Inclusive Educational Environment for the Students with Special Needs

The article analyzes the communicative activity of those students who have difficulties in mental development, as a condition for organizing an educational environment for children with special needs. It was concluded that the inability to communicate with school peers, teachers, and adults affects the organization of an inclusive educational environment (hereinafter - IES) for children with special educational needs (hereinafter - SEN). An example of creating an IES in an elementary school is offered. Specific difficulties that hinder the development of communication (communicative skills) among children aged 7 - 10 with limited health opportunities have been identified. The importance of game activities in the process of organizing an educational space for children with special needs is emphasized. An original author's method of formation of communication skills of students with SEN is proposed, which was based on the key provisions of the pedagogical system of the Italian scientist, doctor, teacher, civic activist, and organizer of educational institutions around the world M. Montessori. Creating an inclusive educational space for children with special needs, we programmed situations where students would develop self-care skills (dressing and undressing, changing shoes, cleaning, dusting, sweeping, taking care of flower pots, taking care of flower beds). Educational materials developed by M. Montessori were shown to the children. The teaching methods proposed by the scientist were also updated. The author's method of formation of communicative skills of students with SEN provided for various forms and methods of learning, both traditional and innovative (project activity, competitions, dramatization, discussion, public performances, didactic games, etc.). The peculiarities of the functioning of the IOP under the conditions of distance learning caused by the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic are characterized. It is emphasized the importance of organizing the game activities of students with SEN as one of the conditions for the successful functioning of IES in the school. The risks posed by online education for children with SEN are highlighted. It was concluded that the process of forming communication skills in students with SEN under the conditions of quarantine restrictions and online learning will become more effective if group work is established (if possible) in the learning process in the classroom and proper pedagogical assistance is provided to the student with SEN at home.

Social Intelligence as a Factor of Socio- Psychological Adaptation of University Students with Special Educational Needs during Distance Learning due to the COVID-19

The article is devoted to the research of social intelligence as a factor of socio-psychological adaptation of university students with special educational needs during distance learning. Study methods of social intelligence and socio-psychological adaptation are used. The respondents' contingent of consisted of 78 students with special educational needs. The average level of social intelligence was empirically established in part students, which testifies to their ability to understand properly and the ability to behavior in almost half of life situations. Almost a quarter of students have a higher than average level of social intelligence and the same part is lower than average, which confirms their ability to understand and predict other people's behavior in almost three quarters and one quarter of life situations, respectively. Students do not have high and low levels of social intelligence. Most students (almost two-thirds) have an average level of adaptability and mal-adaptability;instead, a minority (almost one third) is at a high level. Adaptability and mal-adaptability, respectively, indicate consistency and inconsistency between the needs of the individual and the requirements of the social environment. Students with a low level of adaptability and mal-adaptability were not found. The defined statistically significant relationship of social intelligence with adaptability (direct) and maladaptive (reverse) shows the influence of social intelligence on the effectiveness of socio-psychological adaptation of students. The results of the research proved that social intelligence is a factor of socio-psychological adaptation of students with special educational needs during distance learning.

Meeting the educational needs of academically superior university students during the emergency full shift to distance education in response to the coronavirus crisis (covid-19): Analytical descriptive investigation at Jazan University college of education

This study aimed to identify the level of which the educational needs of academically superior university students were met in college of education at Jazan University during the emergency full shift to distance education in response to the coronavirus crisis (COVID-19). To achieve this aim, the descriptive method was used by designing a questionnaire and distributing it to a sample of academically superior students according to the Grade Point Average (male and female students who have a GPA higher than 4.5) to obtain their views on the extent to which some of the recommended practices in meeting educational needs have been achieved in a such emergency situation represented by the spread of the Coronavirus. The results of the study showed overall that the practices of meeting educational needs were at a moderate level (73%), with a statistically significant difference at the level of 0.05 between male and female students in estimating the level such practices demonstrated for meeting their educational needs, as well as, differences with a statistical significance also were found among the academic departments. The Department of Special Education and the Department of Kindergarten appeared at a higher level in meeting educational needs according to students' views, the study sample, compared to the Physical Education and the Department of Art Education. Accordingly, implications were discussed, conclusions were drawn, and suggestions were presented for future plans to improve practices and ensure the efficiency of teaching and evaluation in similar emergency situations. © 2022, An-Najah National University. All rights reserved.

Factors to increase the effectiveness of an online foreign language course for young scientists

Introduction. The rapid development of digital technologies, online format of the educational process due to the spread of Covid-19 have actualized online learning in universities. The combination of work and postgraduate studies by young scientists, limited time frames, low motivation make it necessary to find the optimal ways to organize the educational process in a foreign language. The considered online course provides young scientists with the opportunity to improve the level of foreign language communicative competence in academic and research fields. Purpose of the article: to improve the effectiveness of the online foreign language course for young scientists. Research methods. The experiment involved 445 first- and second-year graduate students of South Ural State University. To determine the effectiveness of the online course in the program of foreign language study in graduate school and increase the level of foreign language communicative competence the following methods were used: method of pedagogical experiment, method of observation, econometric method of mathematical statistics Difference in Differences (DID). The method of questionnaires was used to identify the educational needs of graduate students. The B.D. Jones's MUSIC® Model of Motivation was chosen as the methodological basis for the redesign of the online course. The relevance and completeness of the strategies of the B.D. Jones's MUSIC® Model of Motivation according to graduate students' opinions were tested using a parametric Student's t-test with dependent sampling. Results. As a result of the experiment aimed at improving the effectiveness of the online foreign language course for graduate students, positive dynamics in the level of foreign language communication competence of graduate students in the experimental group compared with students in the control group was verified by the Change criterion, which reflects the difference in the results of the PhD Foreign Language Exam of graduate students, recorded by DID: "excellent" – (Change > 12%), "good" – (Change < 9.5%), "satisfactory" – (Change < 2.5%). Discussion and conclusion. It was proved that the identified factors to improve the effectiveness of the online course for young scientists (redesign of the online course, taking into account the educational needs of graduate students) determined the positive dynamics of the level of foreign language communication competence of graduate students. © 2023 LLC Ecological Help. All rights reserved.

Education of Students with Special Educational Needs in Pandemic. Mothers and fathers' perspectives / Educación de alumnos con necesidades educativas especiales en pandemia. Perspectivas de las madres y padres

Resumen Objetivo: identificar cuáles fueron, desde el punto de vista de las madres y padres, las condiciones de estudio, los aprendizajes y las reacciones emocionales antes y durante la pandemia de sus hijas/os con necesidades educativas especiales, además de conocer algunas condiciones emocionales de ellas/os mismas/os. Método: Se realizó un estudio exploratorio, en el cual se aplicaron cuestionarios digitales a madres y padres de alumnas/os con y sin necesidades educativas especiales, seleccionados mediante un muestreo no probabilístico, intencional. Participaron 2.634 madres y padres (entre 35 y 38 años de edad en promedio, 90 % mujeres). Resultados: Se encontró que los alumnos estudiaron en condiciones precarias, y se vieron afectados seriamente en sus aprendizajes y mostraron reacciones emocionales negativas durante la pandemia. Los alumnos con necesidades educativas especiales resultaron muy afectados, pero no mucho más que los alumnos sin estas necesidades, lo cual probablemente se debió al trabajo de las USAER. Las madres y padres, particularmente de los alumnos con NEE, presentaron cansancio y frustración. Conclusiones: Se concluye que el confinamiento produjo serias afectaciones en todos los estudiantes, incluyendo a quienes presentan necesidades educativas especiales, pero estos no resultaron mucho más afectados gracias al apoyo brindado por las USAER. Discusión: Estos resultados obligan a tomar medidas emergentes durante el regreso a clases presenciales para compensar las pérdidas de aprendizaje.

Abstract Objective: To identify what were, from the point of view of mothers and fathers, the study conditions, learning and emotional reactions before and during the pandemic of their children with special educational needs, in addition to knowing the emotional conditions of themselves. Method: An exploratory study was carried out, in which digital questionnaires were administered to mothers and fathers of students with and without special educational needs (SEN), selected through a non-probabilistic, intentional sample. Participants included 2,634 mothers and fathers (between 35 and 38 years old on average, 90 % women). Results: The learners studied in precarious conditions, were seriously affected in their academic learning and showed negative emotional reactions during the pandemic. Students with special educational needs were also greatly affected, but not much more so than students without these needs, which was probably due to the work of the USAER. The mothers and fathers, particularly of the students with SEN, presented fatigue and frustration. Conclusions: The lockdown produced serious effects on the learning of all students, including those with special educational needs, who, nevertheless, were not as affected due to the support provided by USAER. Discussion: These results point out to the need to adopt emerging measures during the return to face-to-face classes to compensate for the loss of learning.

Brief Report: The Impact of COVID-19 on Parental Stress and Learning Challenges for Chinese Children with SpLD.

The pandemic induced a radical shift to online learning with increased parental involvement. This study investigates the challenges that students with specific learning difficulties (SpLD) encountered during the pandemic and the mediating role of parental stress. A total of 294 parents of children with SpLD (mean age = 10.6; SD = 1.5) were recruited. Parents reported concerns over their children's difficulties maintaining learning routines, lack of suitable environment for online classes, and ineffective remote learning. Results of mediation analysis showed that online learning challenges, SpLD symptoms, and emotional and behavioral difficulties positively predicted parental stress. In turn, parental stress negatively predicted children's self-esteem and family quality of life. The study implies that parents of children with SpLD need both psychological and technical support under suspension of face-to-face teaching.

Speak out, stay safe: Including children with special educational needs and disabilities in an evaluation of an abuse prevention programme

This paper reports on the evaluation of an integrated violence and abuse prevention programme for children aged 5–11, focusing on children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The Speak Out Stay Safe (SOSS) programme was delivered in mainstream primary schools across the UK. A small-scale study of children with SEND nested within the larger evaluation captured their understandings of abuse and harm and readiness to seek help. A specially adapted survey was completed by 76 children with SEND (aged 6–7 and 9–10) at baseline (31 intervention;45 comparison schools), 12 in intervention schools post-programme and 37 (four intervention;33 comparison schools) six months post-baseline. Qualitative data was captured through 16 teacher interviews. Whilst this nested study was compromised by the COVID-19 pandemic, it provides important evidence that with appropriate adaptations, a survey approach to investigating the learning of children with SEND can be effective. Findings indicate that awareness of abuse and help seeking strategies may improve over time, whilst interview data suggests that adapting the programme to be inclusive of those children may have a better effect. However, a much larger sample of children with SEND is required to confidently measure the effects of such programmes for this population. © 2023 The Authors. Child Abuse Review published by Association of Child Protection Professionals and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Experiences of gifted students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey

COVID-19 began to spread all over the world in the Spring of 2020. All schools, including the institutions serving students with special needs, were closed to decrease the spread of the virus. The schools had to shift to online education, which was a new experience for most students. In addition to the negative effects of the pandemic itself, the new learning format required extra effort from students. Gifted and talented students as a special group with special educational and socio-emotional needs may have experienced the pandemic differently. In the present study, we aimed to explore gifted and talented students' subjective well-being, feelings of hope, and stress coping strategies with a quantitative method. In addition, we used a qualitative method and asked a few open-ended questions to dig deeper into these students' experiences during the pandemic. We found a statistically significant correlation among subjective well-being, hope, and stress coping strategies. Effective stress coping strategies are used more frequently than negative ones. We revealed that although there are some positive sides to the process, the students described some difficulties with social interaction, access and use of technology, motivation, and physical health. Based on the findings, we suggested some important implications and recommendations for parents, educators, and policymakers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

School bells are ringing, but can parents attend? Responses from employed parents of children with SEND

ABSTRACTThis study's purpose is to examine the work-family conflict of employed parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those parents' engagement in the schooling of their children. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, 206 parents from the United Kingdom completed a questionnaire about their school engagement and their work-family strain. Response data were examined employing descriptive and correlation analyses, as well as hierarchical moderated regression. Findings reveal that the higher the parents' work-family conflict, the lower their school engagement. Moreover, the age of children with SEND moderates the relationship between employed parents' work-family conflict and engagement in their children's schooling. Specifically, for parents with younger children, the negative impact of work-family conflict on parental school engagement is not as prevalent as it is for those with older-aged children. Drawing on Hobfoll's conservation of resources theory, we explore parents' dilemma when they determine where to expend their limited reservoir of resources. Because children with SEND benefit in multiple ways when their parents are engaged in their schooling, we provide recommendations regarding how schools and organizations can operate to promote parental school engagement.

COVID-19 and remote learning: experiences of parents supporting children with special needs and disability during the pandemic

The closure of school buildings due to COVID-19 created a challenge for parents and teachers supporting children's remote learning. This paper presents findings of a study that explored whether parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) experienced an unusually challenging period and what obstacles they faced. An online survey was sent to parents during the first (March–June 2020) and second (January–March 2021) lockdowns in England: a total of 141 voluntary participants responded. Thematic data analysis identified three significant themes: Infrastructure (Quality and efficacy of resources;Access to school's virtual learning environment);Impact on parent (Perceived lack of ability or understanding;Relationships;Time;Mental health);Impact on child (Reduced stress and anxiety;Need for routine). Recommendations for schools include collaborating with parents to ensure children with SEND achieve greater equality and inclusivity in educational provision, by developing blended models for in-school and remote learning.

Inadvertent Use of ICTs in the South African Higher Education Sector During the Pandemic: Benefits and Challenges

Globally, higher education (HE) is under pressure to include more diverse groups of students and produce the skills needed to adapt to a rapidly changing world. One of the key catalysts which has been touted to drive the changes is information communication and technologies (ICTs) but the uptake has not been to the optimum levels especially in developing countries. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, HE sectors, in South Africa particularly, have experienced an increase in ICT uptake for the purpose of responding to educational needs. This paper examines how harnessing the positives of ICT's could benefit the higher education sector in the post-COVID-19 era. In particular, the paper explores the benefits and challenges of ICTs in catering for educational needs within higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used information systems (IS) continuation theory to move from academic theorising about inadvertent use of ICT tools toward harnessing their continued successful implementation. Documents were analysed using thematic analysis. The results showed several positive potentials from ICT uptake such as self-regulated learning and the saving of the academic calendar as well as student lives in the face of any future pandemics. This paper suggests a continued maintenance of the infrastructure growth model necessitated by the pandemic. Furthermore, we propose that the Department of Higher Education and Training must regulate establishment of ICT infrastructure funding in institutions of higher education. © 2022 IEEE.

Using speech-to-text technology to empower young writers with special educational needs.

This article reports the first group-based intervention study in the UK of using speech to-text (STT) technology to improve the writing of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Over a period of five years, thirty children took part in total from three settings; a mainstream school, a special school and a special unit of a different mainstream school. All children had Education, Health and Care Plans because of their difficulties in spoken and written communication. Children were trained to use the Dragon STT system, and used it on set tasks for 16-18 weeks. Handwritten text and self-esteem were assessed before and after the intervention, and screen-written text at the end. The results showed that this approach had boosted the quantity and quality of handwritten text, with post-test screen-written text significantly better than handwritten at post-test. The self-esteem instrument also showed positive and statistically significant results. The findings support the feasibility of using STT to support children with writing difficulties. All the data were gathered before the Covid-19 pandemic; the implications of this, and of the innovative research design, are discussed.

Parental perspectives of home-schooling of children with special educational needs and disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review.

The purpose of this paper is to review recent literature on parental perspectives of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the home-schooling of children with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as to consider implications for their education and well-being. Eleven papers were reviewed, published between 2020 and 2021, selected according to a systematic protocol from three widely used online databases. Analysis of the reviewed papers found that transitioning to home-schooling during the pandemic had negative consequences for most of the children, as well as for their parents, though a small but significant number reported positive consequences. Three key areas of concern were identified in the analysis: balancing home-schooling with parent work activities; parent relationships with schools and support services and agencies and home-schooling effects on the well-being and mental health of parents and children.

Students in out‐of‐home care: Their experiences of Transforming Educational Achievement for Children at Risk, an Australian education programme

Children living in out‐of‐home care are at greater risk of poor educational outcomes compared to other children. To address their educational needs, several programs have been developed. Within a qualitative paradigm, this study explored the experiences of students about their involvement in TEACHaR (Transforming Educational Achievement for Children at Risk), a specialized education programme. Eight students (aged 13 to 18 years) from the programme participated in individual, semi‐structured interviews. Responses were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Participants indicated that the programme provided individualized and flexible academic support, reduced their shame and embarrassment and provided them with more than academic support. They highlighted the importance of the student–educator relationship, and the need for encouragement and motivation to pursue their educational goals. Finally, findings report on how COVID‐19 impacts on student experiences of the programme. Recommendations for the development and improvement of education programs for students in out‐of‐home care conclude this paper.

Assessing the learning of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities in mainstream school physical education

In the UK, one consequence of neoliberalism has been the development of test cultures in schools and standardised assessment strategies used to judge all pupils against within and across curriculum subjects. Few studies to date have explored the influence of this on assessing the learning of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and none have centred physical education (PE). This study used the concept of ableism and semi‐structured interviews to explore mainstream secondary school PE teachers' views and experiences of assessing the learning of pupils with SEND. Based on the findings, we discuss the importance of schools disrupting hegemonic, ableist modes of thinking that cast pupils with SEND as being of inferior ability when compared with their peers and thus being disadvantaged by standardised, normative assessment practices. Specifically, we identify a need for senior leaders and teachers in schools to recognise the needs and capabilities of pupils with SEND, through more holistic assessment approaches that focus on social, affective, cognitive and physical learning and development. We end by discussing the significance of initial teacher education and teacher networks to support this endeavour and advocating for the amplification of the voices of pupils with SEND, given that they have expert knowledge about the perceived inclusivity of assessment in PE because they can draw upon their lived and embodied experiences. [ FROM AUTHOR]

A longitudinal study of the mental health of autistic children and adolescents and their parents during COVID-19: Part 1, quantitative findings.

LAY ABSTRACT: Autistic children and adolescents, and their parents/carers, tend to experience more symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to those with other special educational needs and disabilities. The rapid change in society as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have disproportionately affected autistic young people and their parents/carers. We investigated how the mental health of autistic young people, and their parents/carers, developed during the first lockdown in the United Kingdom and how it changed once schools fully reopened for face-to-face teaching approximately 6 months later. Parents/carers completed online standardised questionnaires about their own and their child's mental health at four time points between March 2020 and October 2020. We found that, throughout this period, autistic young people experienced more symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to those with other special educational needs and disabilities. Anxiety levels decreased as lockdown progressed and schools reopened for face-to-face teaching but only for those with other special educational needs and disabilities. For autistic young people, both anxiety and depression symptoms remained high throughout. There were no differences in the mental health of parents/carers of autistic children compared to those with other special educational needs and disabilities. These findings suggest that the mental health of autistic children and adolescents is likely to have been disproportionately affected during and after the first lockdown in the United Kingdom. In the second part of this article (Asbury & Toseeb, 2022), we attempt to explain these trends using qualitative data provided by parents during the same period.

A longitudinal study of the mental health of autistic children and adolescents and their parents during COVID-19: Part 2, qualitative findings.

LAY ABSTRACT: We know that autistic children and young people, and their caregivers, are at increased risk of mental ill health. We asked whether the first 6 months of COVID-19 exacerbated that risk, and whether the implications were different for autistic pupils and their caregivers, than for those with other special educational needs and difficulties. In a linked paper, we found that caregivers of autistic pupils reported higher levels of depression and anxiety symptoms in their children than parents of children with other special educational needs and difficulties (Toseeb & Asbury, 2022). For pupils with other special educational needs and difficulties, their parent-reported anxiety symptoms eased over time while remaining high throughout for autistic pupils. There were no differences in mental health and wellbeing between caregivers of autistic pupils and those with other special educational needs and difficulties. Here, we used parents' written descriptions of their own and their child's mental health during the first 6 months of COVID-19 to explore these linked findings in greater depth. We identified strong evidence of worry and distress for all, but most prominently autistic children and young people. Our finding that worry and distress declined over time for pupils with other special educational needs and difficulties, but not for autistic pupils, was supported and we observed a few differences between caregivers. We also found evidence of wellbeing throughout the sample, and examples of some (mainly autistic) pupils benefitting from a reduction in demands (e.g. going to school). This has implications for our understanding of the school experience for autistic pupils. Findings suggest that the mental health of autistic children and young people may have been disproportionately affected during the first 6 months of COVID-19 and that careful consideration of optimal support, from both health and education perspectives, is vital.

Helping Parents During School Closures and Beyond

COVID-19 has created life-altering issues across the globe. The pandemic forced schools and parents to change the way they approach children's education and many are concerned about children falling behind. Parental responsibilities increased greatly during the pandemic, as they tried to manage their family's finances, ensure their family's health, and balance work with guiding their children's academic endeavors. Despite valiant efforts by school districts, many were not adequately prepared for prolonged closures. Although the pandemic created many obstacles, it also presented an outreach opportunity for those in higher education who could help parents navigate a distance-learning environment that was new to many. Parents needed support programs that focused on academics, stress, and parenting. The Texas A&M International University developed a virtual parent camp that capitalized on teacher's backgrounds in curriculum, counseling, and kinesiology. The camps focused on helping parents with learning strategies, mental health issues, and physical activity. They combined elements of Inspire Teaching and Learning, Harmony Social and Emotional Learning, and Healthy People 2020 Goals, providing parents with the tools to help their children succeed.

"CALLing the Process of Writing": Facebook as Language Support Learning Tool in Enhancing the EFL Learners' Online Writing Performance

This study generally aims to assess the effectiveness of Facebook as a learning support tool in enhancing the writing performance of EFL students. It aims explicitly to ascertain students' perception of Facebook's usefulness, reliability, features, and language improvement as LLST. This study may be used as a reference for future research on effective ways of teaching English as a second language. Using a descriptive correlational research design, to 596 purposively sampled respondents. Results revealed that the majority of the participants are using Facebook six to ten hours a day. They highly perceived the utilization of Facebook effectiveness as a support tool in their writing performance. Gender and age of the students are the dominant factors of differences. The result of this present study would offer significant implications on addressing the students' language learning needs when their profile variables are taken. Finally, it is showed that there is a clear relationship between the CALL attitude of the students and their utilization of Facebook. This indicates a positive relationship between the major variables of the study. Then when students have a high positive attitude on using CALL, the higher their level of acceptance of using Facebook as a language learning support tool. This result shed light on the gap in addressing students' online language learning engagement in COVID-19 era. This result would serve as a plan for developing students' language competence amid the COVID-19 pandemic.