ICT as a Tool for Screening Student with Specific Learning Disabilities
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia
ABSTRACT
Screening of student that may be at risk for specific learning disabilities (SLD) can be an initial step to assist them overcome barriers to learning, hence preventing academic failure, school dropout, and peers rejection. Despite of concerted guideline frameworks and models for disability recognitions such as Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), Ability–Achievement Discrepancy, Response to Intervention (RtI) and Pattern of Strengths and Weaknesses (PSW), the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) for supporting the screening and suitable education plan for student with SLD has not received adequate attention. Thus in this study, an Ontology-based Specific Learning Disabilities Screening tool has been designed and developed. This ICT-supported tool plays a notable role for parents and teachers to identify their children or students at risks for SLD, as well as to recommend appropriate educational activities to assist their learning process. The research methodology utilized is based on Agile software development method. The initial evaluation result obtained from parents and teachers indicated the tool acceptance in terms of the reliability result of early screening student that at risk of having dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyscalculia, and suitable educational activities.
KEYWORDS
Specific Learning disability, ontology model, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ICT tool