Project Result
1- Innovative Methodology to Support Parents of Students with Autism
Need Analysis: In order for families to provide special education at home, the competence of teachers should be increased. Therefore, they can provide professional support to families in special education. However, the digital skills of teachers that are necessary for distance special education are not sufficient.
In addition, teachers do not have adult education experience and skills to give proper training for parents of students with autism. Based on these reasons and needs, teachers need to apply this innovative methodology to gain competencies in adult education, special education for families, and tech-based education.
Target Groups: The target group of the output is teachers who need to apply a new methodology to achieve successful remote special education by collaboration with families. Special education teachers who want to improve themselves on family education, digital transformation, and homeschooling are also in the target group. Finally, special education teachers who want to fill their shortcomings in our partner institutions can also use this innovative methodology.
Chapters of Methodology
a- Digital competence in online education: Digital competencies required for teachers to prepare tech-based lecture materials and manage online education
c- Adult training methods in homeschooling and special education: The integration of homeschooling and special education into the adult education concept will be in this section. with the objectives above
b- The family education and communication: The basis of family education and effective communication classes
d- Psychological Support to Parents having children with ASD.
2- Home Schooling Toolkit & Remutism Platform
2.1 Homeschooling Toolkit
In homeschooling, the toolkit boosts parental skills and competencies in a modern way for the digital transformation in special education. When the traditional homeschooling methods are considered, the learning materials for parents can be stated as the innovative way of providing proper and student-centered education during and after the pandemic period.
The toolkit, which contributes to the development of families in the field of homeschooling and the teaching materials of teachers in this result, will increase school-family cooperation and provide transferability in special education after the pandemic.
In addition, this output, which is aimed at the families of students with autism, can be adapted by project partners for families seeking support in special education in their countries. It can be transformed as an applicable toolkit not only for autism but also for other mental illnesses based on neurodevelopment.
There will be three main parts of this toolkit, which is the modern way to develop parents' competencies as follow,
a) Basis of education at home: The conditions required for the implementation of special education at home.
b) Mental impairment and ASD: The special education requirements and classes management process.
c) Homeschooling implications: In addition to homeschooling methods for students' needs, individually designed activities
2.2 RemAutism Platform
Families will contribute to both the sustainability of distance special education and their own mental well-beingness by getting support. Partners will also adapt the platform in their own language and present this innovative system for families of students with autism.
In addition to these, the digital integration of special education will be successfully accomplished and the competencies of teachers and families will increase in this field. Most importantly, RemAutism will provide convenience and success to all participants by providing family-school-student cooperation. Participants that develop in the social and educational field can continue to use the e-platform after the pandemic and transfer it to future autistic students’ parents.
In addition, partners can transform RemAutism in line with their own needs and use this innovative special education platform in their countries. Finally, the platform, which is rich in materials, can be adapted and used in different special education fields other than autism.
There will be 5 main sections in the platform:
1. Live Lecture-Based Classes (Interactive Classes): Thanks to this section, families will receive individualized special education at home more efficient
2. Parental Self-Assessment Tool: Families will learn the areas where they need extra support
3. Training with Pre-Recorded Videos: Families who need extra support will improve themselves thanks to the pre-recorded videos available in this section. At the same time, if they do not need extra support, they can use videos to practicenand refresh their knowledge.
4. Psychological Support for Parents: This section will benefit families who are mentally tired and need psychological support during the homeschooling process.
5. Social Network/Forum: Important to prepare family-teacher cooperation and sustainability.