Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Leaders’ Knowledge and Awareness on Creating Inclusive Learning Environment Through Technology Integration for Students with Disabilities: Jimma University in Focus

Received: 7 February 2025     Accepted: 11 April 2025     Published: 14 May 2025
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Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to investigate university leaders’ knowledge and awareness of creating inclusive learning environment through technological integration for SWDs in Jimma University. The study employed a mixed research design (QUAN→qual) with an explanatory sequential design. The key findings revealed that there is a low level of understanding of leaders. The correlation result among leaders’ understanding and creating inclusive learning environment was (0.838**). This result suggested that there is a strong positive correlation. The p-value is <0.01, which means a statistically significant. Moreover, the result of multiple regression (p=.00) proved that the predictor and residence variable had strong relationship. Furthermore, training, sharing experience, collaboration with SWD services of accessibility are the strategies which adopt to enhance leaders knowledge and awareness. Finally, it is recommended that all university leaders work in collaborate with disability support services to create an inclusive learning environment for SWDs by integrating technology.

Published in Higher Education Research (Volume 10, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.her.20251003.11
Page(s) 64-76
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Creating Inclusive Learning Environment, Leaders’ Awareness, Leaders’ Knowledge, Students with Disabilities, Technology Integration, University Leaders’

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Belay, H. D., Kabtyimer, M. T. (2025). Leaders’ Knowledge and Awareness on Creating Inclusive Learning Environment Through Technology Integration for Students with Disabilities: Jimma University in Focus. Higher Education Research, 10(3), 64-76. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.her.20251003.11

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    ACS Style

    Belay, H. D.; Kabtyimer, M. T. Leaders’ Knowledge and Awareness on Creating Inclusive Learning Environment Through Technology Integration for Students with Disabilities: Jimma University in Focus. High. Educ. Res. 2025, 10(3), 64-76. doi: 10.11648/j.her.20251003.11

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    AMA Style

    Belay HD, Kabtyimer MT. Leaders’ Knowledge and Awareness on Creating Inclusive Learning Environment Through Technology Integration for Students with Disabilities: Jimma University in Focus. High Educ Res. 2025;10(3):64-76. doi: 10.11648/j.her.20251003.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.her.20251003.11,
      author = {Habtamu Debasu Belay and Muluken Tesfaye Kabtyimer},
      title = {Leaders’ Knowledge and Awareness on Creating Inclusive Learning Environment Through Technology Integration for Students with Disabilities: Jimma University in Focus
    },
      journal = {Higher Education Research},
      volume = {10},
      number = {3},
      pages = {64-76},
      doi = {10.11648/j.her.20251003.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.her.20251003.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.her.20251003.11},
      abstract = {The main purpose of this study is to investigate university leaders’ knowledge and awareness of creating inclusive learning environment through technological integration for SWDs in Jimma University. The study employed a mixed research design (QUAN→qual) with an explanatory sequential design. The key findings revealed that there is a low level of understanding of leaders. The correlation result among leaders’ understanding and creating inclusive learning environment was (0.838**). This result suggested that there is a strong positive correlation. The p-value is <0.01, which means a statistically significant. Moreover, the result of multiple regression (p=.00) proved that the predictor and residence variable had strong relationship. Furthermore, training, sharing experience, collaboration with SWD services of accessibility are the strategies which adopt to enhance leaders knowledge and awareness. Finally, it is recommended that all university leaders work in collaborate with disability support services to create an inclusive learning environment for SWDs by integrating technology.
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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    AB  - The main purpose of this study is to investigate university leaders’ knowledge and awareness of creating inclusive learning environment through technological integration for SWDs in Jimma University. The study employed a mixed research design (QUAN→qual) with an explanatory sequential design. The key findings revealed that there is a low level of understanding of leaders. The correlation result among leaders’ understanding and creating inclusive learning environment was (0.838**). This result suggested that there is a strong positive correlation. The p-value is <0.01, which means a statistically significant. Moreover, the result of multiple regression (p=.00) proved that the predictor and residence variable had strong relationship. Furthermore, training, sharing experience, collaboration with SWD services of accessibility are the strategies which adopt to enhance leaders knowledge and awareness. Finally, it is recommended that all university leaders work in collaborate with disability support services to create an inclusive learning environment for SWDs by integrating technology.
    
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