Microcomputers in Special Education: Renewed Expectations for Solutions to Chronic Difficulties

The aim of the present survey was to identify expectations arising from the introduction of microcomputers into special schools in Israel. One hundred and ten headmasters, representing schools of varied sizes enrolling children over a wide age range and with different kinds of handicap, participated in the study. Most of the schools had no prior experience with microcomputers, so that headmasters expectations reflected major unsolved difficulties rather than knowledge of what to expect. The expectations of headmasters of schools catering for different types of handicap revealed a common emphasis, with interest directed primarily toward cognitive skill training and basic skill development with the hope that the unique program characteristics of computers, namely clear-cut goals, consistent feedback, high response rate, adaptable pace and demonstrated improvement, would facilitate the necessary skill training.