Influence of Digital Transformation on the Education of Learners with Visual Impairment for Sustainable Development in Imo State

Uche E. Opara¹,
Ibeabuchi, Glory I²,
Makam, Isaiah A^3,
Omerekpe, Geraldine N⁴

¹²³⁴Department of Special Needs Education,Faculty of Specialized Education, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Nigeria

                                                                       Abstract

This study investigated the influence of digital transformation on the education of learners with visual impairment for sustainable development in Imo State. Three (3) purposes of the study and three (3) research questions were generated to guide the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted in this study. The population of the study was a cumulative total of seventy-two (72) teachers and learners with visual impairment (forty-seven (47) teachers and twenty-five (25) learners with visual impairment) from Mbaise Secondary School, Aboh Mbaise and Girls Secondary School, Orlu. A sample size of twenty (20) respondents who are teachers and students, was randomly selected. Data were collected using two-sectioned researchers-developed four-point-rating scale of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D) and Strongly Disagree (SD) questionnaire titled: “Digital Transformation on Education for Sustainable Development (DITESD) Scale”. It was rated with points ranging from 1 – 4 (SD as 1 while SA as 4). The instrument was validated by a specialist in Measurement and Evaluation and another from Special Needs Education in Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri. The research findings indicated, among others, that although bedeviled by some factors like paucity of funds, extremely high cost of digital devices coupled with current economic quagmire of the country, etc., digital transformation of the education of learners with visual impairment: enhances accessibility of learning contents to such learners, makes learning to be easier and more flexible to them, enables such learners to contribute meaningfully to national development, and, helps teachers to engage the learners in the learning process while motivating them to deliver better results. Hence, these impacts positively on the sustainable development of such learners while contributing to an enhanced national development of the nation at large. The study therefore, recommended, among others, that teachers of learners with visual impairment should avail themselves of regularly organized workshops on the modern trends in the use of digital skills and resources (e-learning skills) in the teaching and learning processes for enhanced sustainable development of learners with visual impairment and boosted economic development of the nation; and, more and adequate funds should be provided by the Government. This will further enliven the educational and sustainable developments of learners with visual impairment.

Keywords: Digital transformation, education, sustainable development, and, learners with visual impairment.

Influence-of-Digital-Transformation-on-the-Education-of-Learners-with-Visual-Impairment-for-Sustainable-Development-in-Imo-State