Orchestrating special education during the COVID-19 lockdown. A mapping study of the technologies and challenges

Abstract

The COVID-19 lockdown entailed changes at all levels. Particularly, closing schools and moving to online education from one day to another revealed limitations in the education system and difficulties to approach remote learning and assistance, particularly, in the case of special education needs. In order to collect how special education was orchestrated along the pandemic, what technologies were involved and the impact they had, we run a survey in which a total of 295 teachers, specialists and relatives of people with autism spectrum conditions participated. This paper contributes analyzing the orchestration of remote special education and provide applicable solutions to build a learning platform adapted to people with special needs, which covers the challenges encountered. In addition, a mapping of technologies is provided that can serve as an ICT selection criteria and benefit people on the spectrum.