Critical Considerations for Teaching Students With Disabilities in Online Environments

The Blended Learning Environment: A Viable Alternative for Special Needs Students

“…According to the Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities, special education teachers are experiencing challenging situations when attempting to address learning disabilities in an online format (Greer, Rowland, & Smith, 2014). The Center on Online Learning (2012) discovered, -Online teachers of students with disabilities are particularly challenged in identifying, developing, and delivering appropriate accommodations to support the diverse learning needs presented in the blended and virtual environments‖.…”

“…Blended learning, as of 2010, included -over 1,500,000 students across the country‖ (Greer et al, 2014). Blended learning is defined by Greer et al (2014) as, -A traditional face-to-face class where students complete a portion of their coursework on the computer and another part engaged with their face-to-face teacher or their classmates (p. 1).…”

“…Blended learning, as of 2010, included -over 1,500,000 students across the country‖ (Greer et al, 2014). Blended learning is defined by Greer et al (2014) as, -A traditional face-to-face class where students complete a portion of their coursework on the computer and another part engaged with their face-to-face teacher or their classmates (p. 1). Behjat, Yamini, and Bagher (2012) describe blended learning as, -Integrating face-to-face classroom instruction with online activities so that learners can take the advantage of both e-learning and face-to-face instruction‖ (p. 97).…”

“…One form of blended learning begins with traditional instruction in the classroom, followed by webinars during the school week. Another blended format is described as -A face-to-face virtual experience mimicking the direct instruction needed for the student with a disability‖ (Greer et al, 2014). Other forms of blended instruction include a one hour traditional lecture followed by a one to two-hour computer-based instruction with the identical teacher present throughout the entire learning period.…”

“…Greer et al (2014) discussed the benefits of a special needs sixth grade student engaging in blended, individualized instruction by explaining the student is, -Gaining knowledge at her current level and not being asked to complete a modified version of the sixth-grade content‖ (p. 3). The student is also able to work at their own pace, not subjected to the pressures of the classroom expectations (Greer et al, 2014).…”