Studying Online With Special Needs: Learning Strategies for Students

SPONSORED — Education beyond secondary school can be a rewarding experience is an experience both personally and academically, and often a crucial step towards being able to pursue the career that you’ve always seen yourself pursuing. Unfortunately though, many institutions offering tertiary education in Australia are either unable or unwilling to make themselves accessible to students with special needs. According to recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over half of post-school students with disabilities report experiencing difficulty at their non-school institution, with 52% needing at least one day off per week in order to cope. While we can hope our education sector will continue to improve its accessibility going forward, the availability of online learning opportunities can help bridge the gap for students with special needs.

What is Online Learning, and is it for me?

Online learning (often also known as “eLearning,” or “distance learning”) can take a huge variety of forms, but generally speaking, online learning programs use a wide range of digital tools to teach and examine a course of further study. 

Tertiary education is no longer restricted to classrooms or lecture theatres; as of 2024 the online university education market has a projected market volume of over $6 billion AUD and is projected to hit over $9 billion by 2029. The most common forms of online learning are blended, synchronous, and asynchronous, each with its own advantages for people with different levels and forms of special educational needs.

Blended Learning

Blended learning involves a mixture of in-person and online study. This approach to education has several advantages over face-to-face learning modes. It’s often more affordable than traditional education; students are able to learn at their own pace in a variety of locations. eLearning elements of blended courses are often modular and scalable, allowing for customisable learning experiences. This adaptability means that blended learning is potentially well-suited to students with special needs or who are living with a disability. For example, people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may enjoy face-to-face tuition but find it difficult to attend a full course load of lectures and tutorials, but blended learning allows them to create a manageable balance of both.

Synchronous Online Learning

Unlike blended learning, this style of teaching requires no in-person contact at all: rather, the content is delivered in real time – as it would be in a lecture or a seminar – but via an electronic medium. Popularised during the COVID-19 pandemic, the field of synchronous online learning has advanced to a stage where it can offer all of the benefits of face-to-face teaching, including “real-time interpersonal communication, the use of natural language, and immediate feedback”, but without the need to be in a specific location. In the context of students with special needs this means that a fully satisfactory course of further study could be undertaken from a location equipped for their individual requirements, or crucially from a different location each time, if this is required. 

Asynchronous Online Learning

This option offers particular benefits for students with more significant accessibility requirements, such as those for whom availability at consistent times each week might be hard to guarantee. In this model, students are able to work entirely at their own pace, in a module-based system. The full range of course content is provided, but instead of being delivered live, lectures might be recorded and then uploaded to a website. Rather than potentially overstimulating face-to-face conversations with tutors, feedback could for instance, be provided via recorded video or email.

Key Considerations Before You Start

As with any degree or qualification, it is important to consider carefully what you would like to get out of it and as a result which online course might be best suited to you, especially if you have additional educational needs to consider. Even if the first part has always been clear to you – say you’ve always loved psychology, so have decided to pursue a psychology course online – ensure that you carefully research the specific nature of each offering’s eLearning and work out whether that would suit your needs. While not a comprehensive list, here are some potentially important things to bear in mind:

1. Pacing

Will you be able to complete the course at a pace that is comfortable for you? Consider when any deadlines are, and how flexible they could be if they needed to. Think about whether you would be best suited to a modular course with fewer time constraints (in which case asynchronous online learning might be the preferable option), or if you would enjoy the rigour of fixed terms (for which synchronous models might be better).

2. Attendance

Are there any times (this is especially relevant for synchronous and blended courses) that your presence would be essential to your success in the course? Some courses award marks for attendance or participation, so engage with these in a realistic and achievable manner and consider enquiring as to what accommodations might be possible for you in unexpected circumstances – most education providers have very reasonable special circumstances policies, but it is good to be sure.

3. Expectations and Assessment

The variety available in online courses, so potentially beneficial to students with special needs, also means that they can differ massively when it comes to what is expected from you the student. So as not to be caught out, establish, if possible, the requirements your course has in terms of resources you might need (financial or otherwise) and what forms of assessment you might be required to sit in order to achieve your qualification.

Online Learning Prep: How to Make the Most of it

First, it’s critical to understand your specific learning needs and make sure the online learning platform can accommodate them. For visual or hearing-impaired students, this might include things like screen readers, closed captions, or additional time for tests and assignments. Reaching out to the course instructors early is a good idea, too. Having a conversation about what accommodations might be needed can make a big difference. Instructors can offer flexibility with deadlines, alternative ways to complete assignments, or personalised support.

Creating a distraction-free environment is also essential. Setting up a quiet, comfortable space for study and sticking to a daily routine helps with concentration. It’s also helpful to get organised from the start—keeping track of deadlines, class materials, and progress will reduce stress as the course goes on.

For those who use assistive technology, like speech-to-text software or organisational apps, ensuring these tools are functioning well before the course begins is critical. Finally, staying connected with a support system, such as special education services or a trusted mentor, can provide extra motivation and guidance throughout the learning experience.

Overall, whatever your particular educational needs and ambitions, there is likely to be an online learning course that will suit you. So, if traditional further education seems intimidating or challenging, don’t despair: investigate the possibility of online learning, and you will find that with the right preparation and research, you should be able to find a rewarding and fulfilling course to help you on your academic and career journey.