ERIC Number: ED579435
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 187
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-0-3553-7239-7
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Digital Classrooms: A Multiple Case Study of Four Visually Impaired College Students' Challenges and Opportunities
Malone, Jo Ann
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Delta State University
Access to the Internet and technology skills are essential to the success of college students. Electronic textbooks are replacing paper textbooks. Laptops are replacing pens, pencils, and paper. Electronic forms found on school websites are replacing long registration lines. Hyperlinks are replacing handouts, and face-to-face interaction with instructors is disappearing. While technological innovations are often considered progress, they do not come without challenges to those who rely on assistive technology for their participation in educational, work, and social activities. Rather than fostering inclusion, these challenges hold the potential to increase exclusion of certain groups of individuals including the visually impaired population. The purpose of this qualitative dissertation research was to investigate the unique personal experiences of visually impaired college students. Using a multiple case-study research design, this study illuminates some of the challenges four blind or visually impaired college students faced with the increased focus on technology in their respective post-secondary educational settings. Participants were asked to recall and share their personal successes, challenges, and failures as they traversed through the technological world of higher education. Two primary research questions guided this study: (1) How are the experiences with digital college classrooms perceived by visually impaired college students? (2) What obstacles do these college students face in accessing, completing, and submitting required assignments and how do they respond to those obstacles? Using constant comparative analysis of the data through the data collection and review process, several recurring themes were identified. The recurring themes that emerged from the interviews include the need for strong support systems for visually impaired students, professional development training for university staff on the unique and diverse needs of visually impaired students, and self-motivation and self-advocacy skills. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: College Students, Case Studies, Visual Impairments, Barriers, Educational Opportunities, Assistive Technology, Qualitative Research, Student Experience, Electronic Classrooms, Technology Uses in Education, Assignments, Usability, Comparative Analysis, Interviews, Student Surveys, Student Attitudes, Accessibility (for Disabled), Change Strategies
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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