Research at
Gallaudet University
2005 - 2006

Blending Electronic and Classroom Teaching to Support Deaf and Hard of Hearing College Students

Status: Completed Begin date: August 30, 2005 End date: August 24, 2006

Description

This study aimed to design, develop, implement, and evaluate an instructional delivery system that would blend e-Learning with classroom instruction to enhance deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) college student comprehension of Computer Information Systems (CIS) content. Extensive pre-trial preparation work was planned and performed in the fall 2005 semester, during which the blended instructional delivery system prototype and data collection instruments and protocols were designed and developed. The prototype was implemented and evaluated among three selected CIS courses during the spring 2006 semester. A descriptive and explorative multiple-case study methodology was chosen to collect, analyze, and report on data. Major study results, validated through triangulation, member checking, and external audit, include desirable learning performance achieved by all 23 participants, who persisted, and a 100% passing rate (compared with a historical norm of 60-70%) for all three experimental classes with C as the lowest grade. In addition, participants unanimously reported enhanced comprehension, improved motivation, and increased effort level under the new blended instructional model. Finally, the instructional efficiency was improved considerably as three more chapters of content were delivered across the board. The study has confirmed that e-Learning combined with classroom instruction was indeed an effective pedagogical tool to enhance deaf or hard of hearing student learning of CIS content. The instructional paradigm is expected to be applicable to several fields of study and educational practices.

Investigators