Teachers’ perception of mobile edutainment for special needs learners: the Malaysian case |
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| Authors: | Anuar Mohd Yusof Esther Gnanamalar Sarojini Daniel Wah Yun Low Kamarulzaman Ab Aziz |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Graduate Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysiaakunurwar2007@gmail.comanuarmy@umk.edu.my;4. Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;5. Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;6. Faculty of Management, Multimedia University, Cyberjaya, Malaysia |
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| Abstract: | Study of Malaysian adoption of mobile learning (m-learning) is still in the early stages. However, there are numerous researchers in the country exploring the potential and application of m-learning in the Malaysian education system, including special education. A key question is whether teachers are prepared to incorporate mobile technology as part of their teaching tools or do teachers perceive mobile technology only as personal communication gadgets. This paper investigates teachers' perception of m-learning applications in special education classes. Interviews were conducted to collect related information on teachers' perceptions of m-learning in the selected schools. The teachers expressed that there are limited resources to cater to the attention of special needs learners and they believed edutainment technologies such as augmented reality, game-based educational software and animation projects could be the answer. The benefits and challenges of implementing blended learning for special education are also discussed. The paper concludes by summarising the current environment of m-learning in Malaysian special needs education, together with recommendations for future use of the technology. |
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| Keywords: | special needs learner teachers' experiences teachers' perception edutainment mobile learning |
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