Digital Tools and Language Learning

Abstract: The study focuses particularly on the effects digital tools may have on language learning for students with special needs. The qualitative empirical material was collected through interviews and observations in a Norwegian school. The observation involves four students from two school years (the first and the second students comes from year 8, and the third and fourth students comes from year 9). The data also comes from two different qualitative interviews with the headmaster of the same school. The main findings are that, digital tools are adapted for the majority of the students in the classroom by the school board. Students with disabilities, however, need more tools, and more support. Only the school board can change their own recommendations for the use of digital tools. A comparison between Norway’s and Sweden’s curriculum is also included, to contextualized the headmaster’s point of view upon the Norwegian curriculum when it comes to digital tools.