A Study of Educational Technology in the Inclusion of Special Educational Needs
विशेष शैक्षिक आवश्यकताओं के समावेशन में शैक्षिक प्रौद्योगिकी का अध्ययन
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53573/rhimrj.2025.v12n6.014Keywords:
Digital Inclusion, Special Education, Assistive Technology, Inclusive LMS, Educational EquityAbstract
Digital inclusion in special education is vital for ensuring equal access to education for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN). This article explores the transformative role of emerging tools, apps, and technological innovations in promoting digital inclusion in special education. It examines how assistive technologies such as screen readers, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, and AI-powered adaptive learning platforms address barriers related to communication, literacy, and sensory impairments. The study highlights inclusive Learning Management Systems (LMS) and game-based tools that enhance engagement and personalized learning for SEN students. Additionally, it analyzes government policies such as India’s NEP 2020 and global initiatives by UNESCO and WHO that support accessible digital content and teacher training. Despite progress, challenges like the digital divide, high cost of assistive technologies, and resistance to adoption persist. By synthesizing evidence from peer-reviewed studies and policy documents, the paper underscores the potential of technology in bridging educational disparities and emphasizes the need for robust infrastructure and training to achieve equity. The conclusions aim to guide educators, policymakers, and technologists in creating inclusive digital learning environments for all students.
Abstract in Hindi Language: विशेष शिक्षा में डिजिटल समावेशन विशेष शैक्षिक आवश्यकताओं (SEN) वाले छात्रों के लिए समान शिक्षा तक पहुँच सुनिश्चित करने में महत्वपूर्ण है। यह लेख विशेष शिक्षा में डिजिटल समावेशन को बढ़ावा देने में उभरते उपकरणों, ऐप्स और तकनीकी नवाचारों की परिवर्तनकारी भूमिका की खोज करता है। यह जांच करता है कि स्क्रीन रीडर, संवर्धित और वैकल्पिक संचार (AAC) उपकरण, और AI-संचालित अनुकूली शिक्षण मंच जैसे सहायक प्रौद्योगिकियाँ संचार, साक्षरता और संवेदी कमियों से संबंधित बाधाओं को कैसे संबोधित करती हैं। अध्ययन समावेशी शिक्षण प्रबंधन प्रणालियों (LMS) और गेम आधारित उपकरणों पर प्रकाश डालता है जो SEN छात्रों के लिए जुड़ाव और व्यक्तिगत शिक्षण को बढ़ाते हैं। इसके अतिरिक्त, यह भारत की NEP 2020 और UNESCO तथा WHO की वैश्विक पहलों सहित सरकारी नीतियों का विश्लेषण करता है, जो सुलभ डिजिटल सामग्री और शिक्षक प्रशिक्षण को बढ़ावा देती हैं। प्रगति के बावजूद, डिजिटल विभाजन, सहायक प्रौद्योगिकियों की उच्च लागत, और अपनाने में प्रतिरोध जैसी चुनौतियाँ बनी रहती हैं। सहकर्मी-समीक्षित अध्ययनों और नीति दस्तावेजों से साक्ष्य संश्लेषित करके, यह लेख शैक्षिक असमानताओं को पाटने में प्रौद्योगिकी की संभावनाओं को रेखांकित करता है, साथ ही समानता प्राप्त करने के लिए मजबूत बुनियादी ढांचे और प्रशिक्षण की आवश्यकता पर बल देता है। निष्कर्ष शिक्षकों, नीति निर्माताओं और प्रौद्योगिकीविदों को सभी छात्रों के लिए समावेशी डिजिटल शिक्षण वातावरण बनाने में मार्गदर्शन करने का लक्ष्य रखते हैं।
Keywords: डिजिटल समावेशन, विशेष शिक्षा, सहायक प्रौद्योगिकी, समावेशी LMS, शैक्षिक समानता
References
Amazon. (2024). Alexa Skills for Education. https://developer.amazon.com/en-US/alexa/alexa-skills-kit/education
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
Avaz. (2024). Avaz AAC: Empowering communication. https://www.avazapp.com/
Baker, R. S., & Siemens, G. (2014). Educational data mining and learning analytics. In R. K. Sawyer (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of the learning sciences (2nd ed., pp. 253–272). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139519526.016
Bigham, J. P., Brady, E. L., & O’Connor, R. (2018). Exploring the accessibility of educational chatbots for students with disabilities. Proceedings of the 2018 ACM Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1145/3173574.3173620
Blackboard. (2024). Blackboard Ally: Accessibility for all learners. https://www.blackboard.com/teaching-learning/accessibility/ally
BrightBytes. (2024). Data analytics for student success. https://www.brightbytes.net/
CAST. (2018). Universal Design for Learning guidelines version 2.2. http://udlguidelines.cast.org
Century Tech. (2024). Personalized learning with AI. https://www.century.tech/
ClassDojo. (2024). ClassDojo: Connecting teachers, students, and parents. https://www.classdojo.com/
DreamBox Learning. (2024). Adaptive math learning for K-8. https://www.dreambox.com/
Freedom Scientific. (2024). JAWS screen reader. https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/software/jaws/
Haptic Technology. (2023). Haptic feedback in assistive devices: Pilot study outcomes. https://www.haptictech.org/pilot-studies-2023
HumanWare. (2024). BrailleNote Touch: Accessible technology for the blind. https://www.humanware.com/en-usa/braillenote_touch
Humphrey, N., & Symes, W. (2013). Inclusive education for pupils with autistic spectrum disorders in secondary mainstream schools: Teacher attitudes, experience and knowledge. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 17(1), 32–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2011.580462
Instructure. (2024). Canvas: Accessibility features. https://www.instructure.com/canvas/accessibility
International Telecommunication Union. (2021). Facts and figures 2021: 2.9 billion people still offline. https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/facts/default.aspx
Koedinger, K. R., et al. (2022). Enhancing student outcomes through predictive analytics in inclusive education. Journal of Educational Data Mining, 14(1), 112–130. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5874321
McNaughton, D., & Light, J. (2013). The iPad and mobile technology revolution: Benefits and challenges for individuals who require augmentative and alternative communication. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 29(2), 107–116. https://doi.org/10.3109/07434618.2013.784930
Microsoft. (2024). Microsoft Teams for Education: Accessibility and inclusion. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/teams
Ministry of Education, India. (2020). National Education Policy 2020. https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/NEP_Final_English_0.pdf
Ministry of Education, India. (2020). PM eVIDYA: A comprehensive initiative for digital education. https://www.education.gov.in/en/pm-evidya
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, India. (2015). Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan). http://disabilityaffairs.gov.in/content/page/accessible-india-campaign.php
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, India. (2015). Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan). http://disabilityaffairs.gov.in/content/page/accessible-india-campaign.php
Moodle. (2024). Moodle accessibility plugins. https://moodle.org/plugins/
National Statistical Office. (2022). Household social consumption on education in India: NSS 75th round. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India. https://mospi.gov.in/documents/213904/301563/Report_585_75th_round_Education_final_1507_0.pdf
Nuance. (2024). Dragon NaturallySpeaking: Speech recognition software. https://www.nuance.com/dragon.html
NV Access. (2024). NVDA: NonVisual Desktop Access. https://www.nvaccess.org/
OECD. (2018). Education at a glance 2018: OECD indicators. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/eag-2018-en
Osmo. (2024). Osmo: Hands-on learning for kids. https://www.playosmo.com/
Rose, D. H., & Meyer, A. (2002). Teaching every student in the digital age: Universal Design for Learning. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Sakulkueakulsuk, B., et al. (2018). Kids making AI: Integrating machine learning, gamification, and social context in STEM education. Proceedings of the International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering, 1005–1010. https://doi.org/10.1109/TALE.2018.8615249
Selwyn, N. (2016). Digital inclusion: Can we really close the gap? Journal of Information, Communication and Society, 19(4), 441–454. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2015.1032920
Squirrel AI. (2024). AI-powered adaptive learning. https://www.squirrelai.com/
Tobii Dynavox. (2024). PCEye: Eye-tracking for communication. https://www.tobiidynavox.com/products/pceye
U.S. General Services Administration. (2024). Section 508: Accessibility standards. https://www.section508.gov/
UNESCO. (2019). Global education monitoring report 2020: Inclusion and education. UNESCO Publishing. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000373718
UNESCO. (2020). COVID-19 impact on education. https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse
United Nations. (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.html
Woolf, B. P., et al. (2013). AI grand challenges for education. AI Magazine, 34(4), 66–84. https://doi.org/10.1609/aimag.v34i4.2490
World Health Organization. (2011). World report on disability. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240685215