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Wrestling with Online Learning Technologies: Blind Students' Struggle to Achieve Academic Success
ARTICLE

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IJDET Volume 8, Number 2, ISSN 1539-3100 Publisher: IGI Global

Abstract

This study examines the usability challenges and emotional reactions of blind college students in their attempts to access online educational materials and to communicate with colleagues through online technologies. A case study approach was adopted. Five students were interviewed regarding their online learning experiences using Blackboard, a popular Course Management System. Analysis of the interviews revealed that Blackboard was poorly accessible to the blind students, which affected achieving their academic goals. The study also showed that the blind students were motivated and optimistic of their successes despite their frustrations and feelings of marginalization. The study suggests that academic administrators and database designers work jointly with adaptive software developers in developing enhanced user interfaces to ensure universal access and usability of online technologies and to reduce educational inequities and frustrations encountered by blind students. (Contains 1 table.)

Citation

Muwanguzi, S. & Lin, L. (2010). Wrestling with Online Learning Technologies: Blind Students' Struggle to Achieve Academic Success. International Journal of Distance Education Technologies, 8(2), 43-57. IGI Global. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from .

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