Graph Accessibility and Comprehension for the Blind: a Challenge of Its Own Kind Ashley Nichole Nashleanas Iowa State University
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Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Graduate Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2018 Graph accessibility and comprehension for the blind: A challenge of its own kind Ashley Nichole Nashleanas Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd Part of the Educational Psychology Commons, and the Science and Mathematics Education Commons Recommended Citation Nashleanas, Ashley Nichole, "Graph accessibility and comprehension for the blind: A challenge of its own kind" (2018). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 16425. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/16425 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Graph accessibility and comprehension for the blind: A challenge of its own kind by Ashley Nichole Nashleanas A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Major: Education Program of Study Committee: Gary Phye, Co-major Professor Anne Foegen, Co-major Professor Christa Jackson, Co-major Professor Eunjin Bahng Shana Carpenter The student author, whose presentation of the scholarship herein was approved by the program of study committee, is solely responsible for the content of this dissertation. The Graduate College will ensure this dissertation is globally accessible and will not permit alterations after a degree is conferred. Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2018 Copyright © Ashley Nichole Nashleanas, 2018. All rights reserved. ii DEDICATION Many come to mind when I consider to whom I would like to dedicate my dissertation. Unfortunately, not everyone on my list can fit into one double-spaced page. That said, I dedicate my dissertation to the individuals who have taken the time to oversee my journey from start to finish supporting me all throughout. I dedicate my dissertation, first and foremost, to my family. Inevitably, with the pursuit of a doctoral degree comes a mixed bag of emotions – excitement about accomplishments along the way, nervousness about the unknown, and exhaustion from performing multiple steps at a time, day in and day out. My family listened as I spoke about my work. Some days, I expressed excitement and passion. Others, I expressed exhaustion. They supported me in talking openly about my graduate school experiences. I also dedicate my work to my former swim coach, Paula Hamp, for imparting the qualities of character and resilience. I swam competitively for a number of years, performing against elite swimmers nationally and internationally. Paula instilled in me that giving up was never the answer. At the time I was competing, she provided the perfect combination of demonstrating stroke technique in a way I comprehended, constant reminders that the sky is the limit, and complementary remarks when I attained a goal. Paula inspired me to think that the sky is the limit with everything I do, and her involvement with my progress from a beginning swimmer to an American and world record holder gave me the level of motivation and confidence to pursue an academic degree at the highest level, regardless of the challenges that ensued. To Paula and all of the members of my family, I love you. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... vii LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. ix ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 Issues regarding Accessibility and Comprehension of Graphical Information for SVI ................................................................................................................................. 3 Terms and Definitions Specific to the Study ................................................................. 8 General Problem Statement and Central Research Question ........................................ 9 Purpose and Significance of Dissertation .................................................................... 10 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER 2. GRAPH ACCESSIBILITY AND COMPREHENSION FOR STUDENTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ... 14 Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 14 Graph Accessibility and Comprehension for Students with Visual Impairments: A Conceptual Framework ............................................................................................ 15 Graph Comprehension: Issues for Students with Visual Impairments ........................ 15 Access to and Comprehension of Spatial Information for Individuals with Normal Vision ............................................................................................................. 15 Dual Coding Theory: Paivio’s Foundation ............................................................ 16 Baddeley’s Working Memory ................................................................................ 17 Pinker’s Theory ...................................................................................................... 18 Theories and Instructional Practices Regarding Spatial Understanding for SVI ........ 19 Millar’s Theory of Understanding Spatial Representation ..................................... 19 Instructional Practices for Mathematics ................................................................. 20 Conceptual Framework for Accessibility and Comprehension of Graphical Information for SVI ..................................................................................................... 22 Textual Description of Conceptual Framework Diagram ...................................... 22 Graph Accessibility Requires Assistive Technology, Instructional Strategies, and Teacher Training ................................................................................................... 26 Accessibility Requires Assistive Technology ........................................................ 27 Accessibility Requires Instructional Strategies ...................................................... 29 Issues with Teacher Training ................................................................................. 32 Timing and Accessibility ....................................................................................... 33 Comprehension of Graphical Information for SVI ...................................................... 34 Evaluating a New Conceptual Framework Through Theory and Practice .................. 38 Theoretical Implications for the Conceptual Framework ....................................... 40 Technological and Pedagogical Implications for Conceptual Framework ............ 41 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 43 References ................................................................................................................... 43 iv CHAPTER 3. UNDERSTANDING TEACHER PERCEPTIONS OF ACCESS AND COMPREHENSION OF GRAPHICAL INFORMATION FOR SVI IN HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS COURSES THROUGH A SURVEY WITH A MULTISTATE PERSPECTIVE ............................................................................. 48 Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 48 Understanding Teacher Perceptions of Access and Comprehension of Graphical Information for SVI in High School Mathematics Courses Through a Survey with a Multistate Perspective ....................................................................................... 49 Existing Literature and Gaps on Instruction for SVI ................................................... 49 Assertions Regarding Graph Accessibility and Comprehension for SVI .............. 51 Difficulties Associated with Instructing SVI in High School Mathematics Courses ................................................................................................................... 55 Research Questions ................................................................................................ 57 Method ......................................................................................................................... 58 Participants ............................................................................................................. 58 Survey sample. .................................................................................................. 58 Incomplete data. ................................................................................................ 58 Study sample. .................................................................................................... 59 Survey Instrument .................................................................................................