ERIC Number: ED479612
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 2002-Oct
Pages: 6
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
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Available Date: N/A
Exploring Opportunities for Online Instruction for Individuals with Severe Disabilities.
Sparks, Nathan M.
This article examines the current state of available programming and content delivered via the Internet for individuals with severe disabilities. An examination of current research points to a lack of free programming and content devoted to the educational needs of these students. Currently available resources for individuals with more significant disabilities are limited by many factors, including costs for training and materials, lack of accessible Web sites for individuals with significant disabilities, relevant programming and information, lack of free programs, understanding the interrelationship between student learning needs and instructional delivery systems, and the ability for developers to address the programming needs of this small population of end-users. Programming for this population should focus on functional academic support, daily living skills instruction, job exploration, and online recreational opportunities. Access to programming should provide multiple points for end-users and provide content in varied formats to suit individual needs. It seems the challenge of using the Internet for instruction of students with severe disabilities may require educators to examine a new paradigm of instructional delivery. (Contains 15 references.) (Author)
Descriptors: Access to Education, Access to Information, Computer Assisted Instruction, Computer Oriented Programs, Disabilities, Educational Resources, Educational Technology, Information Sources, Instructional Development, Online Systems, Programming, Special Needs Students, User Needs (Information)
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), P.O. Box 3728, Norfolk, VA 23514. Tel: 757-623-7588; e-mail: info@aace.org; Web site: http://www.aace.org/DL/.
Publication Type: Information Analyses; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Note: In: E-Learn 2002 World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, & Higher Education. Proceedings (7th, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, October 15-19, 2002); see IR 022 093.