Adoption of DETB with SRP amongst VIP at Tertiary Institutions in Malaysia

Abstract

An exploratory use of adaptive technology particularly Digital Electronic Textbooks (DETB) with Screen Reading Programmes (SRP) amongst visually impaired students at tertiary education institutions in Malaysia. Visual blindness is among the disabilities that can adversely affect the learning of a student enrolled in a tertiary education institution. As such, adaptive technology devices have become essential tools for students with visual impairments. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore, describe, and interpret the experiences of students with visual impairments in using Digital Electronic Textbooks (DETB) with Screen Reading Programme (SRP) to assist their learning. The study is looking at what factors influence students with visual impairments to adopt or reject DETB with SRP. This is a qualitative study which involves the method of interview and observation. Finding shows that functionalities of certain adaptive technologies may influence the visually impaired students preference in adopting such devices. Meanwhile, all the direct benefits of the adaptive technology of DETB with SRP such as handy, portable, enhance reading understanding as well as support from parents, university administrators and lecturers, are among direct connection to the adoption. The main factors that negatively affected the adoption of DETB with SRP identified are the scarcity of DETB and accessibility conundrums such as graphics and images. Lack of familiarity and knowledge about the execution of DETB with SRP effectively is another influencing factor.