A reference for teachers interested in the uses of ICT as a tool to promote the inclusion of learners with special educational needs. It considers the role of technology in overcoming barriers of access to the curriculum and offers examinations of ICT asa teaching tool to raise standards for all.

This book constitutes the proceedings of the 4th World Summit on the Knowledge Society, WSKS 2011, held in Mykonos, Greece, in September 2011. The 90 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 198 submissions. The papers address issues such as information technology, e-learning, e-business, cultural heritage, e-government.

Heterogeneous classes including students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) are increasingly becoming fixtures of the twenty-first century school. As a result, the question of how to devise more effective, innovative and diverse tools has posed a significant challenge for educators and the research community. This collection considers how technology may provide SEN children with greater opportunities to acquire academic skills, while preparing them for a successful transition to adulthood. Computers, and other new technologies, hold great promise for facilitating the inclusion of SEN individuals into modern society. Precisely because they are characterized by multiple representations of knowledge, computerized learning environments offer effective support tools for the instruction of SEN students faced with barriers that make learning a more complex process. Yet, despite the blossoming of this field, research on how the use of technology may benefit SEN students is in its early stages. The development of the theoretical knowledge and empirical databases necessary to assess the impact of computers on learners’ characteristics and educators' teaching goals lag behind the introduction of the respective technological innovations. To meet this challenge, this volume presents a review of the latest advances in how new technologies and their software may potentially enhance SEN students' performance, in school and out. This book was originally published as a special issue of the European Journal of Special Needs.

If information and communication technology (ICT) is implemented effectively, it can be a powerful means to serve the needs of all children. This text highlights the many ways in which ICT can engage and facilitate the needs of those with special educational requirements.

With Internet access for every school now a reality, teachers are beginning to explore the use of the Internet in the education of children with special needs. This book describes its benefits for children across the spectrum of special educational needs, from those with physical disabilities or sensory impairment to those with learning or social difficulties. With contributions from leading practitioners in the field, this book addresses the huge range of possibilities the Internet and associated technology offer for these pupils. Combining current theory and debate with practical guidance and inspiring case studies, this book considers: * how the Internet can be used to gather and publish information * how to communicate effectively through technology * policy and management issues for schools * the continuing challenges for access and inclusion. This book will be of interest to all teachers involved in special education needs, in both mainstream and special schools.

Demonstrates how the fields of special education and inclusive education have evolved philosophically and technically over the past 30 years.

"a useful contribution to the field, integrating research and practice to highlight useful case studies, guidelines and resources for effective IT provision. A balanced account of the pros and cons of using IT with pupils with additional educational needs is presented, along with a clear acknowledgement of the important role that teachers need to play if provision is to be effective." BJET Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is indispensable to those who teach learners with special educational needs or who manage provision across the different phases of education in mainstream and special settings. ICT and Special Educational Needs addresses what teachers, classroom assistants and those who manage provision need to know and do to maximise the value of technology as an important component of effective, inclusive education. The book gives the broader context for the use of ICT in special and inclusive settings, and gives a wide range of examples of ICT in use. In particular, the book: Considers the role of technology in overcoming barriers of access to the curriculum Includes in-depth examinations of the uses of ICT as a teaching tool to promote inclusion Features contributions from researchers and practitioners who explore the development of ICT, recent innovations, assessment, and specialist knowledge. ICT and Special Educational Needs will be invaluable to teachers on professional development courses and those preparing to teach learners with special educational needs, as well as experienced professionals seeking to update their knowledge and gain new inspiration in this rapidly developing area.