Examining the use of ICT in enhancing the academic performance of learners with hearing impairment in Lira city

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine whether using ICT in teaching can enhance the academic performance of learners with hearing impairment (HI) in Nancy comprehensive school for the Deaf. The researcher adopted the following specific objectives: To examine what ICT equipment were used when teaching learners with HI in Nancy comprehensive school for the Deaf; To establish teachers’ knowledge in exploring ICT equipment in teaching learners with HI in Nancy Comprehensive school for the deaf; To examine the benefit of using ICT in teaching learners with HI in Nancy comprehensive school for the Deaf; To identify challenges faced by teachers of Nancy Comprehensive school for the Deaf in using ICT in the process of teaching learners with HI. To achieve the objectives, the researcher adopted a qualitative research approach to describe and explain participant’s narratives in their natural setting, which enabled the researcher to understand the true picture of the participants as they speak words. The findings revealed that there were some few ICT gadgets in the school. Teachers and leaners also had some little knowledge of ICT and knew about the various forms of equipment used in teaching leaners with HI. In addition, the study found out that ICT has simplified the teaching and retention capability of learners with HI and performance improved. Several challenges such as gadgets being too expensive, power fluctuation, some teachers not able to use the gadget as well as internet bundles being too expensive. Therefore, the study recommends that government strengthen the existing policies that will facilitate the easy teaching of leaners with HI using ICT. For example, not taxing internet bundles to schools that teach HI learners. Providing them with new gadgets, software and training them how to use them.