Page 123 - International Perspectives on Effective Teaching and Learning in Digital Education

Effective Teaching and Learning in Digital Education for Czech Students with Diverse Needs

Bennett et al. (18) suggest reducing the dependence of people with dis-
abilities on the support of others by using assistive technologies. The authors
define interdependence that can extend a diversity of ways to avoid depend-
ence.
Some people see AT as an obstacle that slows them down – it distinguishes
them from the majority and automatically puts them in the group of ‘disad-
vantaged’. They cannot cope with it and have trouble integrating AT into their
lives (Bennett et al., 18; cf. Desmond et al., 18). On the other hand, some
people accept their aid as help, and thanks to it, they can move forward. They
expand the possibilities of interaction between all members of society and
can also help to support and protect the complete maintenance of funda-
mental human rights and freedoms (Desmond et al., 18).
We described different aspects of using information and communication
technologies to promote effective teaching and learning for students with di-
verse needs in inclusive schools in eight subchapters. Each focused on a spe-
cific disorder. The review of current research in the described area followed
the theoretical concepts. We described hardware, software and other special
aids which are used in Czech inclusive schools. Our goal was to show that
a wide range of digital tools is suitable for students with special education-
al needs and, thus, diverse needs that can be incorporated into education.
These aids help to reach each student’s potential. They, therefore, enable a
maximum degree of inclusion. Technologies play an essential role in com-
munication, and they can be used as a tool for social inclusion and the de-
velopment of relationships at school since social comfort is one of the critical
aspects of school success, as we stated in the Abstract.

References
American Speech–Language–Hearing Association. (N.d.). Augmentative and
alternative communication (AAC). https://www.asha.org/njc/aac
Anston, D. (18). Assistive technology for people with disabilities (Health and
medical issues today). Greenwood.
Assistive Technology Act. (1998). Public Law, (15–394). https://www.congress
.gov/bill/15th-congress/senate-bill/43
Awde, N., Banes, D., & Banes, K. (). Digital assistive technology: A guide for
people with disabilities. Millennium Community Solutions.
Bäck, G. A., Lindeblad, E., Elmqvist, C., & Svensson, I. (3). Dyslexic students’
experiences in using assistive technology to support written language
skills: A five-year follow-up. Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technolo-
gy, 19(4), 117–17.

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