Research About iPad Recipients Appears in International Journal
A research study that was conducted among special education teachers who received iPads from Athena Fund was published in the international Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology. The research was conducted by Dr. Sigal Eden of Bar-Ilan University and Dr. Margalit Navon of Tel Aviv University, under the leadership of Professor Adina Shamir of Bar-Ilan University.
The aim of the study was to compare teachers' attitudes, motivation, and use of iPads to support teaching children with learning disabilities (LD) versus children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 309 teachers (294 women, 15 men) aged 25-62 participated in the study. Teachers were divided into two groups according to their type of students: 221 teachers of students with learning disabilities, and 88 teachers of students on the autistic spectrum. Teachers were appraised using 6 questionnaires: demographic characteristics, general technological usage, iPad experience, digital skills, attitudes about iPads, and the willingness to use iPads.
Results show that teachers in both groups find that the iPad is a useful tool to promote teaching and learning. However, the findings reveal that teachers of children with ASD use iPads more frequently and for a longer duration in the classroom. Furthermore, teachers of students with ASD seek more training.
"The iPad serves as a useful crutch for teachers and students in special education," said Professor Adina Shamir, Head of PhD Committee and Special Education Track, and Director of the Center for Technology in Special Education, School of Education, Bar-Ilan University. “The findings of the current research indicate that the more difficult the disabilities, the more teachers use the iPads, report on an improvement in teaching and learning, and request further training.”
Special education teacher using iPad teaches special needs student