KOTA BHARU, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- Digital learning and gamification are among the best approaches that can be adopted to strengthen special education and help special needs students learn more effectively according to their needs.
Founder of Bizara education centre Wan Zakaria Wan Abu Bakar said the approach was not merely about introducing technology into classrooms, but also aimed at helping special needs students understand lessons more effectively according to their abilities and individual learning styles.
"For special needs students, this approach is highly significant as many of them have visual learning styles and require various forms of stimulation to maintain their attention when lessons are delivered interactively.
"Technology serves as a medium to enhance teachers’ teaching processes, while gamification also helps improve motivation, attention span, memory retention and self-confidence when students successfully complete tasks," he told Bernama when met at Bizara Inter Care Centre here today.
He said the use of smartboards enabled teachers to deliver lessons in a more visual and interactive manner through pictures, videos, animations, simulations and touch-based activities, thereby increasing student engagement in the classroom.
"For special needs students such as those with autism, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental delays, this visual and interactive approach helps improve focus, understanding, communication skills and self-confidence during the learning process," he said.
He said gamification was an educational approach that incorporated game elements such as challenges, rewards, scores, achievement levels and immediate feedback into the learning process.
"This approach allows students to learn through enjoyable experiences without compromising learning objectives.
"Unlike ordinary games, each gamification activity is designed based on the intended learning outcomes. Students do not merely play, but also solve problems, make decisions, repeat exercises and receive immediate feedback," he said.
-- BERNAMA