ERIC Number: EJ890502
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1539-3100
EISSN: N/A
Wrestling with Online Learning Technologies: Blind Students' Struggle to Achieve Academic Success
Muwanguzi, Samuel; Lin, Lin
International Journal of Distance Education Technologies, v8 n2 p43-57 Apr-Jun 2010
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.)
Descriptors: Electronic Learning, Online Courses, Educational Technology, Access to Computers, Access to Information, Accessibility (for Disabled), Case Studies, Interviews, Learning Experience, Courseware, Database Management Systems, Blindness, Visual Impairments, Assistive Technology, Computer Software Evaluation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A