ERIC Number: EJ1275470
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 24
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2304-070X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Determining Needs and Priorities of Learners with Special Needs for Support Services in an Open and Distance Learning Context in Turkey
Open Praxis, v12 n3 p359-382 Jul-Sep 2020
This study aims to identify needs and priorities of learners with special needs for support services in an open and distance teaching university in Turkey based on disability type. Exploratory sequential design was adopted. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were performed with six individuals from each group, including hearing impairment, visual impairment, and physical disability to determine the needs of the learners. Data were coded based on a thematic framework involving managerial, pedagogical, social, and technical support. To determine the priorities of the learners with special needs for support services in the quantitative phase, surveys were developed separately for three groups with disabilities based on the qualitative findings. A total of 703 learners took part in the surveys. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings of the study revealed that learners with special needs require a wide variety of services regarding managerial, pedagogical, social, technical and vocational support. Existing support systems need to be improved and awareness for these systems should be increased to make services more inclusive.
Descriptors: Students with Disabilities, College Students, Visual Impairments, Hearing Impairments, Physical Disabilities, Accessibility (for Disabled), Assistive Technology, Information Needs, Academic Support Services, Social Support Groups, Technical Support, Open Education, Distance Education, Inclusion, Foreign Countries, Student Needs
International Council for Open and Distance Education. Lilleakerveien 23, 0283 Oslo, Norway. Tel: +47-22-06-26-30; Fax: +47-22-06-26-31; e-mail: icde@icde.org; Web site: http://www.openpraxis.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Turkey (Ankara)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A