Reaching High Standards: Prospective Special Education Teachers Perceptions about Their Computer Competencies and the Usefulness of Computers in Teaching Students with Disabilities

The current study aimed at exploring prospective special education teachers perceptions about their computer competencies and the usefulness of computers in teaching students with disabilities. Sixty two prospective special education teachers were surveyed using a researcher-developed questionnaire. The results revealed distinguished and satisfactory levels of computer abilities in the areas of communication and information resources, and classroom management; and poor levels in the area of instruction and assessment. Moreover, prospective special education teachers did not seem to understand the role that can be played by computer technology in the teaching and learning of students with disabilities. Recommendations for enhancing teachers’ technology preparation are also discussed. Keywords: Special Education and Technolog

Effect of a Classroom-based Intervention on the Social Skills of Students with Learning Difficulties

Children with learning difficulties often face challenges in social skills, hindering their ability to adjust and interact within society. The present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a training program designed to enhance the social skills of individuals with disabilities. The quasi-experimental study involved 20 primary school students with learning difficulties exhibiting deficits in social skills in the United Arab Emirates. To evaluate the level of social skills of the sample children, a social skills assessment scale was employed, which was developed by the researchers. The assessment scale consisted of 24 statements that were organized into three dimensions based on previous research and theoretical frameworks. The results of the present study showed that the training program significantly and positively impacted the social skills of these children. There were statistically significant disparities between the mean ranks of the experimental group and the control group's scores on the social skills assessment scale after program completion. In conclusion, the study recommends integrating the developed training and similar programs into the public and private education curricula, including both government and private schools, to improve the social communication abilities of children with learning difficulties. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-SIED2-011 Full Text: PD

The Effectiveness of a Training Program in Developing The Auditory Perception Skills and its Effect in Improvement reading Skills Of Students with Learning Disabilities.

The study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of a training program in developing the auditory perception skills and its effect in improving reading skills of students with learning disabilities (LD). The sample of the study were 40 students who were chosen purposively from students who have learning disabilities and who were attending 4th grade resource rooms. These participants were divided into two groups: the first group was an experimental group while the other was a control group. Each group consisted of 20 male students with LD. Moreover, the study used the auditory perception scale prepared by Al-Kailani and Al-Waqfi (1998) which was standardized on the Jordanian environment. In addition, a reading achievement test prepared by the researchers was used. The training program was applied on the experimental group to develop auditory perception skills for a period of two months. The Shared Variance analysis (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the data. The results were as follows; there were statistical significant differences at (α \u3c 0.05) in auditory perception skills between the subjects of both groups; the experimental and control group being better for experimental group on the total auditory perception scale, also on its dimensions in favor of the experimental group. Moreover, there were statistical significance difference in academic (reading) achievement between both groups at the level (α \u3c 0.05) in favor of the experimental grou

Exploring the Utilization of Augmented Reality in Higher Education Perceptions of Media and Communication Students

The present study aims to explore the perceptions and usage of Augmented Reality (AR) technology among media students in Palestinian universities. A quantitative approach was adopted, and data was gathered from a web-based survey of 237 media students. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was utilized to gauge participants' perceptions of AR, and descriptive statistics were used for analysis. The findings reveal a generally positive perception of AR as a beneficial tool for skill enhancement, with mean scores ranging from 3.70 to 4.04 indicating strong agreement. The study also found moderate to high AR usage among participants, particularly for translating texts using Google Translate, but noted that usage patterns were more individual-oriented. Additionally, 91.1% of respondents attributed the COVID-19 pandemic to increased technology usage in higher education. The novelty of this study lies in providing insights into the perception and application of AR in higher education within the Palestinian context, an under-researched area. The study sheds light on the potential for integrating AR more formally into curricula, which could foster a more engaging and immersive educational experience. However, it also highlights the need to address barriers such as lack of technical support and possible discomfort with technology. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-SIED2-016 Full Text: PD

Exploring Media and Communication Students’ Perception of Egyptian Universities’ Use of Augmented Reality in Learning

The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of media students in Egypt universities about using augmented reality (AR) technology in learning. To achieve this, the study adopted Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and utilized a survey questionnaire to collect data from students in seven universities across Egypt. The findings revealed that (i) the students had a positive perception about using AR in media and communication learning; (ii) many media students in Egypt were not fully aware of the various AR technology applications in media and communication education; (iii) the students identified several negative factors that may hinder their acceptance of AR technology as an instructional tool, such as poor connectivity, lack of free AR programs, and lack of training programs. Addressing these barriers could help promote the adoption of AR technology in media and communication learning among students in Egypt. The significance of the study lies in that it sheds light on the need for increased awareness and education of the potential benefits of using AR technology in media and communication learning

The Effect of Using the QR Technique In Teaching the Skill of Dribbling in Basketball to Healthy and Deaf Students During COVID-19

This study aimed to identify the effect of using the QR technique in teaching the skill of dribbling in basketball to deaf healthy students during the Corona pandemic, as well as to identify the differences between the use of the QR technique and the traditional method, depending on the condition variable. The researchers used the experimental method in this study, and a deliberate sample of (24) healthy and deaf students was chosen, who were distributed equally into two experimental and control groups, and two measures were made, before and after, of the skill level of the sample, during which they applied the program, which lasted for a month, three days a week. per group. After collecting the data and using the necessary statistical treatments, it was found that there is an effective effect of using the QR technique, and there are statistically significant differences between the two measurements in favor of the post-measurement for both groups. As for the differences between the two groups, the development was in the level of skill performance in favor of the experimental group. The results also indicated that there were no statistically significant differences due to the variable of the type of students. In light of the results, the researchers recommended the need to provide the research results to each of the Ministry of Education, the Olympic Committee and the Basketball Association, and the adoption of technology as an educational guide for teachers and coaches in anticipation of any future emergency, and the need to hold specialized courses for university professors, teachers and trainers to train on creating content using the QR technology, and to conduct Similar studies to compare deaf and healthy people and extend them to include both sexes and in other games

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population