What predicts teachers’ use of digital learning in Germany? Examining the obstacles and conditions of digital learning in special education

authored by: Moritz Börnert-Ringleb, Gino Casale, Clemens Hillenbrand
Abstract: The school closures during the COVID-19 outbreak triggered ashift towards digital learning. Whilst this is amajor challenge for mainstream education, the implementation of digital learning poses an even bigger challenge for special education teachers, as they are confronted with different learning requirements which might hinder digital learning processes. Previous research identified obstacles to digital learning in mainstream education, but conditions of digital learning in special education remain unclear. This article aims to provide insights on conditions of digital learning in special education at teacher-, school-, and student-levels. We examined whether the intention to use digital learning in special education is predicted by (1) teachers’ self-efficacy, attitudes and their perceived usability of digital learning, (2) perceived organisational support and (3) perceived obstacles on student-level. Data of N = 722 special education teachers were collected during the pandemic. Results of mixed models indicate that specific self-efficacy in digital learning and perceived support were the strongest predictors for the intention to use digital learning, while alack of students’ self-regulation and parental support represented major obstacles. The results underline the need for specific training in digital learning for special education teachers, and interventions in digital learning for students with special needs.
Organisation(s): Institute of Education for Special Needs
External Organisation(s): The University of Wuppertal
Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg
Type: Article
Journal: European Journal of Special Needs Education
Volume: 36
Pages: 80-97
No. of pages: 18
ISSN: 0885-6257
Publication date: 15.01.2021
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Education, Health Professions (miscellaneous), Developmental and Educational Psychology
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2021.1872847 (Access: Closed)

BibTeX

@article{43cc870ac38243d5a97dd001d6be7abd,
title = "What predicts teachers{\textquoteright} use of digital learning in Germany? Examining the obstacles and conditions of digital learning in special education",
abstract = "The school closures during the COVID-19 outbreak triggered ashift towards digital learning. Whilst this is amajor challenge for mainstream education, the implementation of digital learning poses an even bigger challenge for special education teachers, as they are confronted with different learning requirements which might hinder digital learning processes. Previous research identified obstacles to digital learning in mainstream education, but conditions of digital learning in special education remain unclear. This article aims to provide insights on conditions of digital learning in special education at teacher-, school-, and student-levels. We examined whether the intention to use digital learning in special education is predicted by (1) teachers{\textquoteright} self-efficacy, attitudes and their perceived usability of digital learning, (2) perceived organisational support and (3) perceived obstacles on student-level. Data of N = 722 special education teachers were collected during the pandemic. Results of mixed models indicate that specific self-efficacy in digital learning and perceived support were the strongest predictors for the intention to use digital learning, while alack of students{\textquoteright} self-regulation and parental support represented major obstacles. The results underline the need for specific training in digital learning for special education teachers, and interventions in digital learning for students with special needs.",
keywords = "Digital learning, self-efficacy, special education",
author = "Moritz B{\"o}rnert-Ringleb and Gino Casale and Clemens Hillenbrand",
year = "2021",
month = jan,
day = "15",
doi = "10.1080/08856257.2021.1872847",
language = "English",
volume = "36",
pages = "80--97",
journal = "European Journal of Special Needs Education",
issn = "0885-6257",
publisher = "Routledge",
number = "1",
}