Teaching Strategies and Academic Performance of Learners with Visual Impairment in Primary Schools Kaplamai Division, Transnzoia County, Kenya

ABSTRACT The study was to determine teaching strategies and performance of learners with visual impairment was carried out in primary schools in Kaplamai Division, Tranzoia County in Kenya. The Objectives of the study were to; determine the level of teaching strategies applied by teachers, assess the level of performance of visual impaired learners and establish whether there was a significant relationship between teaching strategies and performance of visual impaired learners in Kaplamai division. Methodology The study adopted Piaget, J. (1963) theory of constructivist learning. The study employed descriptive and correlation designs; the study targeted 200 respondents with a sample size of 133 selected using Solven’s formula. The researcher targeted teachers as respondents because they are the one who design teaching strategies and assess the performance of learners. Questionnaires were used to collect data and was validated by context experts, two doctors and piloted in six primary schools in Kaplamai to determine its reliability. The data analysis was done statistically using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The Findings showed that the teaching strategies positively and significantly influence performance of learners with visual impairment in Kaplamai Division. The researcher made the following Condusions The level of teaching strategies in the public primary schools of Kaplamai division, Kenya, was high, The performance of learners with visual impairment in the public primary schools of Kaplamai division Kenya was moderate, There was a significant relationship between teaching strategies and the academic performance of pupils with visual impairment in the public Primary schools of Kaplamai division, Kenya. Recommends The researcher recommends that if the performance of learners with visual impairment in Kaplamai division Transnzoia County Kenya is to improve the following should be done; Teaching strategies and skills should be improved through going for further studies and doing refresher courses or research on new and well proved methods and techniques in teaching visual impaired learners. There should be adequate planning by the teachers in their strategies before going to teach or interact with the learners through preparations of relevant and simple teaching/learning resources and reference materials to make the teaching more lively to the learners and enjoyable to them in order for them to improve in their performance in class. The teachers should establish and maintain a friendly relationship between the teachers and the pupils should be encouraged so that there is no big gap between the two parties as this will allow learners to express themselves to present their requests and concerns to their teachers thus improving on their performance in school, Teachers and school administrators should carefully handle the evaluation process in a way that takes away the fear from the pupils, make it to appear as a daily routine and clearly set good standards for any assessment, that if the performance of learners with visual impaired to improve, there should be adequate planning by teachers and use of appropriate teaching strategies and appropriate teaching learning resources teachers and school administration should carefully handle the evaluation process in a way that takes away the fear of the learners. Learners should be trained to do examinations from time to time.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preliminary Pages

DECLARATION A

APPROVAL

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

LIST OF ACRONYMS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES ix

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.0 Introduction

1.1, Background of the study

1.1.1 Historical perspective

1.1.2 Theoretical perspective 2

1.1.3 Conceptual perspective

1.1.4. Contextual perspective 6

1.2 Statement of the Problem 10

1.3 Purpose of the Study i I

1.4 Research Objectives ii

1.5 Research Questions ii

1.6 Hypothesis 12

1.7 Scope 12

1.8 Significance of the Study 12

Operation Definition of Key Terms I 3

CHAPTER TWO 14

LITERATURE REVIEW 14

vi

2.0 IntroductIon .14

2.1 1_11e01.etlcal revle~i .14

2.2 Conce~~tijal frame woric . 18

2.3 Related literattire .20

CHAPIER I1IP.EE

ME1IIODOLGV ........................ ••••••I••••••..•..n....•...n...n........fl.fl 29

3.0 Introcluction 29

3.1 Research Design 29

3.2 Research Population 29

3.3 Sample Size 29

3.4 Sampling Procedure 30

3.5 Research Instriirrient 3 i

3.6 ValIdity and Reliability & the Instrumenis 3 I

3.7 Data Gathering Procedures 32

3.8 Data Analysis 33

3.9 Etliical Considerations 33

3.10 Limitation of the StIJdIy 34

CIIAP1ER

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERRPRETATION 35

4.0 Introciuctlon 35

4.1 The effectiveness & teaching strategies 35

4.2 The level of Academic Performance & leatners with visual Impairment in Kaplamai

Dh,ision, Kenya 37

4.3 Relationship between teaching strategies and level & performance & learners with

visual Impairment 39

CHAPTER FluE

DISCUSSION, CONLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................... 42

VII

5.1 Introduction .42

This chapter presented a summary of major findings, conclusions on each finding and

recommendations. The suggestions for further research are also indicated here 42

5.2 Discussion 42

5.3 Conclusions 45

5.4 Recommendations 46

REFERENCES 48

APPENDIX1A 51

TRANSMITTAL LETTER 51

APPENDIX lB 52

TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR THE RESPONDENTS 52

APPENDIX II

CLEARANCE FROM ETHICS COMMETEE

APPENDIX III 54

INFORMED CONSENT

APPENDIX 1

QUESTIONNAIRES ss

APPENDIX B 56

QUESTIONNAIRE TO DETERMINE THE LEVEL OF TEACHING STRATEGIES 56

APPENDIX C 57

THE LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE OF LEARNERS WITH VISUAL IMPAIREMENT 57

RESEARCHERS CURRICULUM VITAE 58