Volume : 3, Issue : 2, February - 2014

E–Learning Training Needs of Special Educators in Universities in an Age of Information and Communication Technology

Eze, Uche N, Onuigbo, Liziana N.

Abstract :

The Nigerian universities are faced with the challenges of using e-learning to support the traditional pedagogical models adopted within the confines of the classroom especially for the learners with special needs. However, the basic pedagogical skills teachers acquire while on training are not adequate for e-learning. This paper examined the e-learning skills special educators require training for implementation of e-learning in the universities for effective teaching of learners with special needs. The sample consisted of 24 special educators and 74 Management Information Systems staff from the two federal and five state universities with Faculty of Education in South East, Nigeria. A Checklist and Questionnaire were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the research questions. Findings indicate that special educators lack the basic skills in the use of e-learning and require professional development in basic technological skills and in the designing and implementation of curriculum for e-learning instruction.