Strategies and Challenges to Teaching Students with Special Needs During a Pandemic

Authors

  • Sarana Eyire Roberts, Ph.D. (Author) California State University, Bakersfield image/svg+xml
    Dr. Sarana Eyire Roberts is an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the Advanced Educational Studies Department at California State University of Bakersfield. During her time at California State University of Bakersfield, she serves as the Director of the Special Education Program and teaches classes in their credential and master’s programs. Her research efforts focus on improving academic outcomes for students with disabilities and improving teacher education practices. She is currently exploring the intercepts of race, social class, and issues of equity and social justice as they relate to improving teaching practices for students with disabilities and vulnerable populations.
  • Yeunjoo Lee, Ph.D. (Author) California State University, Bakersfield
    Dr. Yeunjoo Lee is a Professor of Special Education and the Chair of the Advanced Educational Studies Department. Her research interests are in the areas of teacher preparation, intellectual disabilities, and assistive technology.
https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.514
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to immediate school closures resulting in online learning. Online learning under such circumstances has presented challenges for teachers of students with mild to extensive support needs. The current study interviewed twenty special education teachers about the strategies they used when teaching online and the challenges they faced. Teachers discussed several strategies including the use of direct instruction, providing active engagement, caregiver involvement, and their frequent use of informal assessments. Challenges included time constraints and student inattention. Findings of this study can be used to inform strategies to use when teaching students with special needs online and in future online emergency teaching environments.

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There are 25 references in total.
Roberts, S. E., & Lee, Y. (2023). Strategies and Challenges to Teaching Students with Special Needs During a Pandemic. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 18(1), 112-130. https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.514

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  • Article Type Articles
  • Submitted January 19, 2023
  • Published February 15, 2023
  • Issue Winter 2023
  • Section Articles
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