Factors Influencing Students’ Academic Performance In Ugandan Sign Language Courses At Kyambogo University, Uganda

ABSTRACT

Ugandan Sign Language (USL) training for students improves service delivery to members of Uganda Deaf Community. Kyambogo University (KyU) was the only public University in Uganda which trained students in USL. From 2007 to 2012 students’ performance in USL had been low (mean = 46 and mean = 42) in comparison to their performance in other courses offered for students pursuing Bachelor of Adult and Community Education (mean = 73) and Bachelor of Arts in Community Based Rehabilitation (mean = 78) respectively. This raised concern as to why students’ performance in USL was persistently low. Factors that influenced the low performance had not been established. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to ascertain factors that influenced students’ academic performance in USL courses at KyU. Objectives of the study were to: determine how teaching strategies used by lecturers influenced students’ academic performance in USL courses, find out how lecturers’ competence levels in USL influenced students’ academic performance in USL courses, determine how students’ attitudes towards learning USL courses influenced their academic performance in the courses and to ascertain how students’ entry behavior influenced their performance in USL courses. The study was study was framed within behaviorist theory of language learning by Hussein which stipulated that language is learnt behavior through acting in a particular way and forming routine habit. The theory guided framing of conceptual framework that illustrated relationships among independent, confounding and dependent variables of the study. Descriptive survey and correlation research designs were used for the study. Target population comprised 1,260 students and 26 lecturers. Simple random and saturated sampling techniques were used to select 504 students and 22 lecturers respectively. Instruments for data collection were: questionnaires, video based-observation checklist, interview guide and document analysis guide. Face and content validity of the instruments were determined through support from experts in the department of Special Needs Education and Rehabilitation – Maseno University. Reliability coefficients; (r = 0.76, 0.71, 0.69 and 0.73 respectively) of the instruments were attained through test-retests in pilot studies involving 10% of the target population. Data obtained through questionnaires and document analysis guide were analyzed through frequency counts, percentages and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Data generated from video based-observation checklist and interview schedule were organized, categorized and transcribed into emergent themes and sub-themes and reported. Findings of the study indicated that: English language 10 (45.5%) and Signed Supported English 3 (13.6%) were majorly used to teach USL courses. Lecture method 10 (45.5%) was always used to teach USL courses. Most lecturers 4 (18.2%) had weaker abilities to appropriately use USL. Most students felt that USL courses were complicated, hard, and difficult to learn. Most students 258 (51.2%) had never gotten any basic training at all in USL courses. And there was strong linear relationship (r = -1.000**) between mean marks attained by students who prior got basic trainings in USL courses and those who had not. Students performed poorly in USL courses because; no specific language was used for teaching USL courses, majority of lecturers were not competent enough to teach USL, most students had negative attitudes towards learning USL course and did not see any values in learning it. Majority of them also had poor background knowledge and skills in USL. These findings can guide in policy making on USL teaching at KyU. It is recommended that lecturers should use only USL to teach USL. They should also use teaching strategies that enable every student to participate actively during USL lessons, among other recommendations. It is suggested that further study be done on impact of USL learning to people who are deaf and other community members at large both at school and out of school settings.