Exploring Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Education in Students with Learning Disabilities: A Systematic Literature Review

Integrating emerging technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), blended learning models, and assistive technologies into inclusive education is crucial for creating a universal learning environment that accommodates students of all abilities. Evaluating the effects of these technologies on the social inclusion and academic performance of students with learning disabilities is essential to advancing both practice and research. This systematic review, conducted according to the PRISMA protocol, explores the effects of various emerging technologies on these students' social inclusion and academic performance while offering recommendations for future designs and research opportunities. The review identified 31 relevant articles from three scientific databases. The findings indicate that AR, VR, assistive technologies, and text-to-speech speech-to-text are among the most widely adopted technologies in inclusive education. The findings further suggest that emerging technologies enhance social inclusion and improve the academic performance of students with learning disabilities. However, additional research is necessary to explore aspects such as accessibility, effectiveness, usability, and inclusivity in educational contexts. Moreover, these findings highlight the sparsity of research on the use of these technologies for students with special needs in sub-Saharan Africa.