EDUCATION IN SERBIA: INCLUSIVE AND E-LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

The authors discuss in this paper how information technologies and e-learning can support and improve inclusive education. This paper is divided into three parts: The first part is focused on different approaches to the concept of inclusive education and its relations to the similar concepts – social inclusion and educational integration. In the second part are considered the essential principles of inclusive education (principle of equal opportunities, principle of personal and individualistic approach, the principle of personal consideration and their different educational needs, principle of permanent education) as well as potential problems in their practical applying process. The third part is devoted to different opportunities and e-learning models as an function of inclusive education improvement. The researchers present an overview of the some recent projects and use their results to discuss advantages of using e-learning as an alternative opportunity and support to inclusive education. They concluded in the final part of the paper that new developments in higher education – from virtual universities and cross-border education to e-learning – all speak to the efforts on the traditional higher education community to address the challenges they face in new technology driven on-line environment. In addition, the authors findings suggest that without good policy and financial support there is no good interaction between inclusive education and e-learning.

Keywords

• inclusive education
• principles of inclusive education
• e-learning
• Serbia