COVID-19 and the status of remote learning for students with disabilities in Jordan: the learned lessons

Abstract

The study investigates the effectiveness of, attitudes towards, and teacher’s competencies in distance learning for students with disabilities in Jordan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purposive sampling technique was used in this study, which includes twenty-five special education teachers. Qualitative research data from individual interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results revealed that remote learning is a new educational concept associated with negative attitudes in Jordan. The majority of participants think that remote learning is not an effective way of teaching students with disabilities. Data analysis revealed that most special education teachers perceive themselves as having a low competency in implementing remote learning in the education of students with disabilities. Several barriers and suggestions are reported. This study documented lessons learned during the pandemic, which could be applied after it has ended. The pandemic has high-lighted inequities in technology access and teacher knowledge and provides the impetus to address such inequities in the future. It is vital to promote the implementation of effective applications of remote learning in related special education contexts. Recommendations and practical and research implications are presented in light of the study results.