Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its use in teaching students with visual impairment in secondary schools in Kabale municipality, Uganda

Abstract

Technology has emerged rapidly as force which has been more widely accepted in almost every facet of life around the world, making it vital for teaching. There has been a gap between ICT as a subject and adapted ICT device as a method to improve teaching of all subjects and integrating it for SWVI. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence use of ICT in teaching SwVI in Kabale Municipality in South Western Uganda. The study investigated availability of ICT tools, teachers’ competences in the teaching and the perception they have about use of teaching ICT to SWVI. The study adopted a qualitative approach and focused specifically on a case study design. Interviews were used as data collection methods. The target population for the study was composed of: teachers (N=30) and students (N=43). The study sample then comprised of teachers (N=5) and students (N=7). Data was analyzed qualitatively, basing on key themes and sub themes. Responses were categorized – where by those that were similar, and others that were unique were analysed accordingly. One of the key findings revealed that ICT tools used in Y Secondary School were of different types; some were of low-tech ICT and some were high-tech ICT. Other findings revealed that some teachers had basic informal and not specific ICT training in adapted technologies for teaching suitable for SwVI. Some other key findings showed that teachers were convinced that students were able to work with and use ICT independently, and thereby enjoying the benefit learning through the use of ICT. There were also findings that revealed some challenges faced, such as inadequacy in skills, facilities, and unstable electricity power source for running the devices. The study concluded that Y Secondary school had inadequate ICT devices for teaching SwVI; teachers were not skilled and knowledgeable enough in using ICT devices to teach SwVI. The study further concluded that ICT integration into teaching remained a challenge in secondary schools where SwVI studied. Basing on the findings and conclusions, the study provided recommendations, among other things, that Ministry of Education and Sports and other NGO’s should equip secondary schools with adequate ICT tools. Another recommendation was that teachers ought to be trained and retrained at both pre-service and in-service levels on how to adapt and integrate ICT into teaching SwVI.