Design of a Virtual Learning Environment for Students with Special Needs

Abstract

The European Social Fund-supported Portland Partnership project developed a\ncomputer-based virtual learning environment (VLE) to benefit students with cognitive and\nphysical disabilities. This system provided students with access to a suite of software\nprograms to teach them basic/essential skills needed for everyday life and to use information\nand communications technology (ICT). The VLE can be customized to meet individual\nstudents’ needs by selecting an input device, adjusting its setting, or choosing a symbol set to\nsupport on-screen text. The learning programs within the VLE required careful design to\nmake them stimulating and beneficial to students who have diverse health conditions and\ndisabilities. The VLE and learning programs were evaluated within four partner Colleges of\nFurther Education. Observations showed that students enjoyed the learning tools and the\ntutor comments indicated that students also benefited from them. A series of guidelines were\nidentified for the design of future VLEs and learning software for students with special needs.

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