Abstract

Learning for individuals with additional needs has always been an issue focused on within education settings. However, with the pandemic bringing to light how accessible and convenient home learning can be, there is opportunity for the development of a platform which can assist those learning from home with additional needs to learn better.

A literature review was performed to explore existing literature on home education and learning platforms as well as find antecedents. The results of which informed a pilot study. A survey was conducted using likert scales; the results of which were analyzed to determine the opinion of parents of important variables to their child's education. These results formed the basis of requirements for development of a platform. The developed platform was tested by home educating parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Dyslexia. The parents completed a survey based on the TAM3 model and five participants were interviewed on their experience. The results of the study informed the creation of a framework for developing future e-learning technologies for home educated children with additional learning needs.

The study resulted in findings on home educating parents needs including: ways to collaborate and communicate with other parents through forums and direct message, search the platforms content with filters for content type, log learning activities in a digital journal, interactive content for their children's learning and authoring tools allowing for creation of courses tailored to the individual child's needs.

The study contributes to the niche area of home education technologies for children with additional needs and provides a basis for future studies in this field.

How can an accessible online asynchronous home education platform for children be developed?