Title: Stakeholders' perceptions of the use of ICT in the education of students with SEN

Authors: Jaime Ribeiro, Antonio Moreira, Ana Margarida Almeida

Addresses: CIDTFF – Research Centre for Didactics and Technology in Teacher Education, University of Aveiro; Departamento de Educacao, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitario de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. ' CIDTFF – Research Centre for Didactics and Technology in Teacher Education, University of Aveiro; Departamento de Educacao, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitario de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. ' Cetac.Media – Research Centre for Technologies and Communication Sciences, University of Aveiro; Departamento de Comunicacao e Arte, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitario de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal

Abstract: Portugal is experiencing a technological reform in education. Technological refurbishing of schools and training of students and teachers is a reality on the rise, enhanced by the implementation of the education technological plan (ETP), which also aims at computer skills certification, by 2010, of 90% of teachers. In a school that must be adjusted to all pupils, special educational needs cannot be neglected and the nature and constitution of its computer resources should obviate the support of these students. Stakeholders| awareness and ICT training is essential to benefit all students from ICT use. In the case of SEN, this need for training is of paramount importance to establish itself as a facilitator for these students. ICT coordinators are the visible face of ICT implementation in schools; their functions include the management of the schools computer facilities and to zeal for the ICT training of fellow teachers.

Keywords: ICT; information technology; communications technology; special educational needs; SEN; education technological plans; teacher training; Portugal; stakeholder perceptions; technological reform; school refurbishment; student training; computer skills certification; computer resources; student support; stakeholder awareness; ICT coordinators; ICT implementation; facilities management; technology enhanced learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2011.040222

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2011 Vol.3 No.3, pp.242 - 254

Published online: 26 Feb 2015 *

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