Technology enhanced learning in Higher Education institutions: Exploring the lived experiences of students with specific learning differences and their lecturers

Achtypi, Alexia, Isiaka, Abass B., Schildt, Jeremy and Arico, Fabio (2025) Technology enhanced learning in Higher Education institutions: Exploring the lived experiences of students with specific learning differences and their lecturers. British Educational Research Journal. ISSN 0141-1926

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Abstract

This paper challenges the prevailing assumption that technology-enhanced learning (TEL) inherently benefits all students in higher education, examining how undergraduate students with specific learning differences (SpLDs) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) use technology for learning. Through qualitative interviews with 20 students and 17 lecturers at a mid-sized UK university, we argue that while TEL offers flexibility and multimodal access to learning, it is also mediated by exclusionary institutional contexts. We support this argument by exploring how institutional and pedagogical misalignments may hinder effective technological integration for students with SpLDs. Following Abbot (2007a), we also argue that digital inclusivity cannot be achieved solely through technology; rather, it requires a contextual understanding of individual learner needs, institutional practices and lecturer preparedness. We emphasise that to ensure students with SpLDs and/or ASD benefit from the increasing reliance on technology in higher education, institutions need to develop a holistic policy approach that takes cognisance of the complex interaction between technology, the individual and the university context.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: A summary of the data that support the findings of this study is available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available owing to ethical restrictions.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	autism spectrum disorder,higher education institutions,specificlearning differences,technology- enhanced learning,education ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3304
Faculty \ School:
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Higher Education Research Practice Policy and Scholarship
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	06 Oct 2025 09:30
Last Modified:	06 Oct 2025 12:31
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/100630
DOI:	10.1002/berj.70039

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