Views and experiences of special educators and rehabilitators on the integration of media in the educational process

Marija Davčevska, Dejan Filipovski

Abstract

In the modern educational environment, media play an increasingly important role in supporting students with disabilities, especially through increased communication, motivation and social inclusion. The research aims to examine the attitudes and ex­periences of special educators and rehabilitators in the Republic of North Macedonia regarding the use of media in their professional practice. A methodology was applied that included a quantitative survey with 56 participants and qualitative semi-structured interviews. The research focuses on the perceived benefits of media, the frequency and type of their use, as well as the barriers faced by professionals, such as technolog­ical limitations, lack of adapted content and insufficient training. The results show that media are generally perceived as a useful tool, especially in the context of visual sup­port and multisensory learning. However, there are significant differences in their use, depending on the level of digital literacy, the type of disability they work with, as well as institutional support. Additionally, differences in approaches to media use were re­corded between urban and rural areas, as well as among different generational groups of professionals. The interviews revealed different adaptation strategies and creative approaches to media integration, including the use of visual cues, auditory resourc­es, and interactive applications. The research has implications for improving training, developing localized resources, and systemic support for digital inclusion in special education. The development of comprehensive digital literacy programs, regular tech­nical support, and the inclusion of media in national strategies for inclusive education are particularly recommended. The findings open up space for future research that will examine the long-term impact of media on the academic and social development of students with disabilities.

Keywords: special educator, media, digital literacy.