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Analysis of Teachers' Perceptions on Instruction of Braille Literacyin ANALYSIS OF TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS ON INSTRUCTION OF BRAILLE LITERACYIN PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOR LEARNERS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN KENYA CHOMBA M. WA MUNYI E83/27305/2014 A RESEARCHTHESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION KENYATTA UNIVERSITY JUNE, 2017 ii DECLARATION I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma of the university or other institute of higher learning, except where due acknowledgment has been made in the text. Signature _________________________ Date ______________________ Chomba M. WaMunyi E83/27305/2014 Supervisors: This dissertation has been submitted for appraisal with our/my approval as University supervisor(s). Signature _________________________ Date ______________________ Dr. Margaret Murugami Department of Special Needs Education, Kenyatta University Signature _________________________ Date ______________________ Dr. Stephen Nzoka Department of Special Needs Education, Kenyatta University Signature ________________________ Date ______________________ Prof. Desmond Ozoji Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of JOS iii DEDICATION I dedicate this dissertation to all children with visual impairment in Kenya. iv v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ........................................................................................................ ii DEDICATION .......................................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................ x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................... xi ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................. xii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ..................................................................... xi 1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background to the Study ....................................................................................... 1 1.3 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................... 11 1.4 Purpose of the Study ........................................................................................... 13 1.5 Objectives of the Study ....................................................................................... 13 1.6 Research Questions ............................................................................................. 14 1.7 Significance of the Study .................................................................................... 15 1.8 Limitations and De-limitations of the Study ........................................................ 16 1.8.1 Limitations....................................................................................................... 16 1.8.2 De-limitations .................................................................................................. 17 1.9 Assumptions of the Study ................................................................................... 17 1.10 Theoretical and Conceptual Framework ............................................................ 17 1.11 Operational Definition of Terms ....................................................................... 22 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................... 24 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 24 2.2 Factors Influencing Braille Literacy .................................................................... 24 2.3 Phonological Training and Reading Activities .................................................... 27 2.4 Professional Preparation for Teaching Braille Literacy........................................ 35 2.5 Perceptions on Uncontracted and Contracted Braille ........................................... 42 2.5.1 Hand Movements in Contracted and Uncontracted Braille ............................... 45 2.5.2 Reading Fluency and Spelling in Contracted and Uncontracted Braille .......... 47 vi 2.6 Print and Braille Literacy for the Low Vision ...................................................... 50 2.7 Perceptions on Teaching Literacy through Braille and Assistive Technology ...... 54 2.8 Summary ............................................................................................................ 59 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY .............. 61 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 61 3.3 Variables ............................................................................................................ 63 3.3.1 Independent Variables...................................................................................... 64 3.3.2 Dependent Variable ......................................................................................... 64 3.4 Location of the Study .......................................................................................... 64 3.5 Target Population ............................................................................................... 66 3.6 Sampling Techniques and Sample Size ............................................................... 67 3.6.1 Sampling Techniques ....................................................................................... 67 3.7 Research Instruments .......................................................................................... 74 3.8 Pilot Study .......................................................................................................... 76 3.8.1 Validity ............................................................................................................ 78 3.8.2 Reliability ........................................................................................................ 79 3.9 Data Collection Techniques ................................................................................ 81 3.10 Data Analysis.................................................................................................... 82 3.11 Logistical and Ethical Considerations ............................................................... 84 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS, INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION ...... 86 4.1 Introduction. ....................................................................................................... 86 4.2 Demographic Information of the Teachers .......................................................... 87 4.3Teachers‟ Perceptions on Factors Influencing Braille Literacy (Objective One) ... 86 4.4Teachers‟ Perceptions on Phonological Training and Reading Activities forYoung Children with Visual Impairment (Objective Two) ................................... 95 4.5 Perception of Teachers on their Professional Preparation (Objective Three) ...... 107 4.5.1 Teachers‟ perceptions on their professional preparation in Braille literacy...... 109 4.5.2 Teachers‟ Opinion after Completion of Braille Literacy Training ................... 110 4.6 Teachers‟ Perceptions on Teaching Contracted and Uncontracted EnglishBraille Code in Schools for Learners with Visual Impairment (Objective Four) ..................................................................................................... 115 4.7 Teachers‟ Perceptions on Provision of Print and Braille Literacy to vii Learnerswith Low Vision (Objective Five) ............................................................. 125 4.8 Teachers‟ Perceptions on the Use of Braille and Assistive Technology in Teaching Literacy Skills (Objective Six)................................................................. 133 4.9 Analysis of Teachers‟ Suggestions / Recommendations .................................... 138 4.10 Interview with Headteachers of Schools for Learners with Visual Impairment on the Situation of Braille Literacy in their Schools ............................. 141 CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................... 164 5.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 164 5.2 Summary of the Main Findings ......................................................................... 164 5.3 Conclusions ...................................................................................................... 169 5.4 Recommendations............................................................................................. 171 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................... 175 APPENDIX A: LETTER OF INTRODUCTION ...................................................
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