Using Technology to Enhance Learning in Special Education: Moving Forward

The twentieth century is sometimes characterized as a technological era; and most people find this description easy to accept because they have seen a dramatic proliferation of technological goods and services that are readily available in all societies. In fact, life for most people throughout the world has changed mostly because of the rapid pace of technological advances. For example, medical technology has vastly improved the health of much of the world's populations; and modern communication technologies have made the world more accessible, thus helping diverse learners with disabilities to enjoy the benefits of the twenty-first century life. The challenge now is how to improve the educational opportunities offered to individuals who have highly variable abilities. One promising way to relieve this pressure is the use of educational and assistive technologies to provide appropriate support that is differentiated based on learner needs. In this chapter, we discuss the use of technology to enhance special education. Embedded in our discussions are future perspectives on dealing with roadblocks that face general and special educators using technology in learning processes.