Dyslexia is a learning disability that significantly hinders students' abilities to read and comprehend educational materials, posing a substantial challenge within educational environments. This paper introduces an innovative educational system, ReadSmart, that integrates both Augmented Reality (AR) and Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)…

The virtual-representational-abstract (VRA) framework adapts an evidence-based practice, the concrete-representational-abstract (CRA) framework, while trying to meet students and teachers where they are in terms of technology interest and use in education. This article discusses the VRA framework and the advantages of virtual manipulatives, and…

A basic understanding of math, numeracy, and related concepts are critical skills for functioning independently in society. Individuals with disabilities often struggle with basic math, which impedes their ability for independent living. Augmented reality (AR), which builds on the evidence-based principles of video modeling, is a promising…

Latest research suggests that the most effective methods on education are those which utilize technological tools that provide an interactive approach to learning. Exploratory technology which involves augmented reality applications in the regular school program, gives the opportunity to young learners to become autonomous and active in their…

In this article, we share an ethnographic case study of how we worked with a small group of marginalized grades 6, 7, and 8 students to both explore and create augmented reality (AR) to produce a class cookbook. We discuss how using AR helped students develop digital literacies skills and 21st century competencies, while at the same time,…

Secondary students with a learning disability in mathematics often struggle with the academic demands presented in advanced mathematics courses, such as algebra and geometry. With greater emphasis placed on problem solving and higher level thinking skills in these subject areas, students with a learning disability in mathematics often fail to keep…

We shift the view of a special needs student away from the acknowledged view, that is as a student who requires interventions to restore a currently expected functioning behaviour, introducing a new paradigm to frame special needs students' learning of mathematics. We use the theory of objectification and the new paradigm to look at (and…

Children with exceptional learning needs find it very difficult to retain content information from the regular curriculum. Many content teachers also find it difficult to adapt curriculum to the learning needs of these exception children within the confines of the classroom and without any assistance. Although many schools are equipped with…

Learning disability is a classification that includes several disorders in which a person has difficulty learning in a typical manner. Depending on the type and severity of the disability, interventions may be used to help the individual learn strategies that will foster future success. Some interventions can be quite simplistic, while others are…

The use of virtual environments for special needs is as diverse as the field of Special Education itself and the individuals it serves. Individuals with special needs often face challenges with attention, language, spatial abilities, memory, higher reasoning and knowledge acquisition. Research in the use of Virtual Learning Environments (VLE)…

The effectiveness of computer simulation in enhancing learning of a health unit by 30 mildly learning-disabled high school students was investigated. Results indicate that computer simulation in combination with structured teaching was effective, particularly in the area of teaching problem-solving skills. (TJH)