Design and development of web application to support a teacher professional development program for enhancing understanding of Asperger’s syndrome for Thai educators
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Abstract
With the advancement of technology use in educational settings, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been increasingly incorporated into the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) programs to enhance knowledge acquisition, retention, and transfer. This study describes a research pilot of the development and use of a web application, the Ubon Ratchathani University Applied Science Learning Center, as a deliverable of a TPD program in Thailand to build knowledge of Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) among educators. In Thailand, AS is not well-known compared to autism spectrum disorder due to the paucity of research and resources, and educators are challenged to nurture their students with AS to meet their full potential. This web application was developed with multi-faceted software to support diverse modes of learning. The implementation of the application occurred in the city of Ubon Ratchathani, located in north-eastern Thailand. The participants of this study were in-service and pre-service teachers, who exhibited strong interests in learning about AS. The results suggested that the web application was a valuable component of the TPD program, enhancing knowledge retention and promoting the creation of a professional learning community.
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