COVID-19 PANDEMIC: DIFFICULTIES FACED BY SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS DURING EMERGENCY REMOTE TEACHING THROUGH ONLINE LEARNING AND THEIR OPINIONS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore the difficulties faced by special education teachers during emergency remote teaching through online learning to special needs students during covid-19 pandemic and discuss their opinions. Population of study was special education teachers who were teaching to special needs students of secondary level at government special education institutions Faisalabad division of Punjab province Pakistan. The sample of the study was 15special education teachers were selected through random sampling technique. Phenomenology pattern was used in this research as a method of research.  Semi structure interview was used as a tool of research. Results of the study clearly showed that almost all the special education teachers were motivated towards providing emergency remote teaching to their special students through online learning system. They have practiced a variety of strategies to provide online education to their students but they face a lot of difficulties in this regard. As majority of special students were from low socio economic background, so they have a lack of online learning facilities i.eandroid cell phones, laptops and internet connection etc. It was interesting to know that all the students who have sufficient facilities of online learning were not utilizing this for constructive purpose and to overcome their academic problems.  They were merely wasting it over social media and gadgets are not utilizing for constructive purpose which was creating anxiety for their parents.

Key Words: Covid-19, pandemic,special needs students, special education teacher, emergency remote teaching, online learning