The Views of Special Education Teachers about a Mobile Writing Application

Abstract

Acquiring writing skills of students plays a key role in their academic life. Approximately the half of a normal school day is covered by writing activities. Although writing is such an important skill in the education system, there are students who have difficulties in writing. One of the specific learning disabilities, dysgraphia can be defined as writing impairment. Studies on writing disabilities appeared to extend on a spectrum that ranged between 5% and 34%. Educational technology is a promising solution to meet students with dysgraphia. Particularly, mobile devices offer wide spectrum opportunities for learning of students with dysgraphia with their unique qualities. The main purpose of the study is to reveal the views of special education teachers about mobile writing application after the utilization of mobile writing application. A mobile writing application was developed (Hopcan et al., 2019) and its effectiveness was examined (Hopcan & Tokel, 2021) in previous studies. In this study, qualitative method was used in order to reveal the views of special education teachers about mobile writing application after the utilization of mobile writing application. Semi-structured interviews were conducted about the application with seven special education teachers. Teachers perceived mobile writing application as easy to use. In addition, teachers found the application useful in terms of improving writing skills of students, teaching how to write them accurately, and attracting students’ attention more than traditional writing practices. They perceived mobile writing application as enjoyable for students. Some of teachers had some suggestions for improving the application.

Are Existing Mobile Writing Applications for Writing Difficulties Sufficient?

“…It has been found to improve the quality of written works' quality and boost such students' motivation for writing (Belson et al, 2013;Czyzewski et al, 2009). Also, teachers who use writing applications think they are simple to use and describe them as helpful in improving students' writing skills, teaching correct writing, and maintaining students' attention more effectively than traditional writing practices (Hopcan & Tokel, 2022).…”