The Urgency of Using Information Technology as a Medium of Learning Islamic Religious Education for Students with Special Needs in the Digital Era

Abstract

This research aims to explore data and information about Information Technology
used as a learning medium for Islamic Religious Education for Learners with
Special Needs. In this digital era, information technology has developed rapidly
and become an inseparable part of human life. This development also opens up
new opportunities in the world of education, including in learning Islamic
Religious Education (PAI) for students with special needs. This research uses a
descriptive qualitative method with a Library Research approach. Data collection
is done by taking data from various related literature. From the results of the
study, it can be concluded that the utilisation of information technology can be
applied in learning Islamic Religious Education for students with special needs.
Although the application of information technology in learning Islamic Religious
Education has challenges and benefits. In terms of challenges, the utilisation of
information technology in learning Islamic Religious Education for students with
special needs in the digital era has the following challenges First, limited access to
information technology in some areas. Second, the lack of training for PAI
teachers in using information technology. Third, the content of information
technology-based Islamic education learning is still limited.
Besides having challenges, the use of information technology in learning Islamic
Religious Education for students with special needs has benefits, namely First,
information technology can help children with disabilities understand learning
materials more easily and interestingly. Secondly, information technology can
help children with special needs to increase their motivation and interest in
learning. Third, information technology can help children with disabilities in
developing their learning skills, such as reading, writing and counting skills.
There are various types of information technology that can be used in Islamic
education learning for children with disabilities, such as Islamic educational
websites, Islamic learning applications, Islamic learning multimedia, and Islamic
educational games. PAI teachers need to be creative and innovative in using
information technology so that PAI learning for children with special needs can be
more effective and efficient.