ICT Utilization As Correlates Of Academic Performance Among Students With Visual Impairment In Lagos State, Nigeria

Vision, an essential part of human existence plays vital roles in the life of an individual and any hindrance to vision resulting in total or partial loss of sight creates difficulties in understanding the world around such an individual. The problem associated with academic performance of students with visual impairment has a number of indicators which have not received adequate attention from researchers in special education. This study therefore, examined the relationship of information and communication technology (ICT) utilisation on academic performance of students with visual impairment in Lagos State. The objectives of the study were to identify ICT tools, level of ICT utilisation as well as their relationship to academic .performance among students with visual impairment. Using descriptive research design of correlational type, twenty eight students with visual impairment were selected using purposive sampling technique from two special schools located within Lagos state. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents and data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson product moment correlation statistics. Two research questions were raised while one hypothesis was generated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The results indicated that there was significant relationship between information and communication technology utilisation and academic performance of students with visual impairment in Lagos state (r = .536, P< .05). Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that schools should adopt appropriate ICT tools that will enhance academic performance of students with visual impairment and to include ICT training skills in the curriculum of special schools

Influence of self-concept and social acceptance on academic achievement of students with visual impairment in Oyo State, Nigeria

Students with visual impairment do experience discrimination, stigmatization, neglect and isolation from significant others around them. These unsavory experiences do have significant impact on their normal learning process. Although several studies have been conducted on the teaching and learning of students with visual impairment, little or no attention is paid to the impact of certain factors affecting their academic achievement. This study, therefore, examined the influence of self-concept and social acceptance on academic achievement of students with visual impairment in Oyo state. Using descriptive research design of correlational type, twenty-seven students with visual impairment were selected using enumerative sampling technique from junior secondary schools in Oyo State. A structured questionnaire having three research instruments were used for data collection: Self-concept Scale for Blind Adolescents (r = 0.82), Social Acceptance Scale (r = 0.72) and Academic Achievement Test (r = 0.75). Two hypotheses were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. Data obtained were analysed using Pearson product moment correlation statistics. The results indicated that there was significant relationship between academic achievement and self-concept of students with visual impairment in Oyo state (r = 0.21; P < .05) and social acceptance and academic achievement of students with visual impairment in Oyo state (r = 0.36; P< .05). Based on the findings, recommendations were made that parents of children with visual impairment should treat all children equally with their sighted peers to improve their self-concept which will impact positively on their academic achievement in school, special educators should be given methodological guidance in order to work on this throughout the educational process for students with visual impairment to enhance their academic achievement.Keywords: Self-concept, Social acceptance, Academic achievement, Visual impairmen