Information and Communication Technologies for EducationalInclusion: Perceptions of the Educational Communityon Their Application in the Classroom

Tecnologías de la información y comunicación para la inclusión educativa: Percepciones de la comunidad educativa sobre su aplicación en el aula

Abstract

Inclusive education and ICT have now been consolidated as the cornerstones of the education system. While inclusion guarantees the right to equitable and quality education for all students, ICT has become a set of key tools for personalising learning and enhancing teaching processes. The aim of this study is to explore the educational community's perceptions about ICT and inclusive education. The research is framed in a qualitative approach of a transversal nature and has involved the participation of 89 members of the educational community. In order to collect the information, techniques such as focus groups and semi structured interviews were carried out. The research results show a widespread perception of the potential of ICT to promote more inclusive educational environments, highlighting their ability to personalise teaching and learning, a finding of great pedagogical relevance that is directly reflected in teaching practice by allowing for strategies that are better adapted to the needs of students. There is also a clear need for solid training that does not only address the technical handling of ICT but will also focus on their specific application for inclusive purposes, in order to optimise the use of these tools in diverse educational contexts. Overall, the findings underline the importance of a thoughtful and skilled integration of ICT to move towards a more equitable and accessible education focused on the needs of the students and suggest that educational policies should be aligned with these findings to promote their effective implementation in the classroom.