Strategies for teaching students With Exceptional Needs in cyber schools

Abstract

Cyber schools for K-12 students are growing in number. It is vital that appropriate strategies are devised in order to meet the needs of students with exceptionalities. The PA Cyber Charter School serves 353 students who have Individualized Education Plans. Parent surveys were thematically analyzed and revealed six predominant themes, including communication, interests, focus, less-stigma from the special education label, education differences in comparison to other methods, and cyber school shortcomings. The study also utilized the action research model to determine and present the techniques and strategies that are working in the PA Cyber Charter School for their students with special needs. Teacher-tested documents included in the Appendix were based on the study, and a model for special needs strategies in the cyber learning environment has been established through this article.

A capability approach for online primary and secondary students with disabilities

“…Research about developing the capabilities of autonomy and good judgement in online education for students in higher education is relatively plentiful (Means et al, ), but it is less so in online education at the primary/secondary level and even less in online education for students with disabilities. It is known, however, that relatively positive educational outcomes are achieved for students with disabilities through immersion in a classroom of peers (Beck, Egalite & Maranto, ; Harvey et al, ; Hipsky & Adams, ); therefore, researchers must ask whether the benefits of autonomous learning, the ability to make choices in educational activities and the development of decision‐making skills outweigh the lack of immersion with one's peers.…”

“…In addition, teachers are better able to monitor student behaviour in a virtual classroom because text and audio/video are recorded; therefore, they may be better able to monitor individual social situations. These social advantages in an online environment could relieve a considerable amount of stress for students with disabilities (Hipsky & Adams, ).…”