E-learning is a burden for the deaf and hard of hearing

Abstract

When considering deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) population, research recognizes that fatigue due to communication challenges and multi-focal attention allocation is a significant concern. Given the putative heightened demands of distance learning on deaf and hard of hearing students, we investigate how an online environment might differently affect deaf and hard of hearing participants, compared to hearing participants, Portuguese Sign Language (PSL) users and non-users. Our findings show that the deaf and hard of hearing group present higher values in the post-task fatigue rates with significant differences from the hearing group (non-PSL users). Furthermore, our results revealed an association between post-task fatigue rates and lower performance scores for the deaf and hard of hearing group, and the gap is significantly bigger when compared with the hearing group (non-PSL users). We also found evidence for high levels of post-task fatigue and lower performance scores in the hearing group PSL users. These novel data contribute to the discussion concerning of the pros and cons of digital migration and help redesign more accessible and equitable methodologies and approaches, especially in the DHH educational field, ultimately supporting policymakers in redefining optimal learning strategies.

Contributing Factors and Challenges in Mastering Academic Writing Skills: Multiple Case Studies of Deaf Students in Inclusive Universities in Indonesia

“…In accordance with the development of the current era, integrating digital learning tools into the teaching and learning process is one of the most preferred or recommended methods in the process of educating deaf learners (Ahmed & Hasegawa, 2022). However, another study states that in using e-learning during distance learning at the time of Covid-19 pandemic, deaf and hearing impaired learners faced higher levels of fatigue and showed lower performance due to several dimensions of academic challenges leading to further inequality and obstacles that affect their participation opportunities (Rodrigues et al, 2022).…”

COVID 19 in the Life of Hard of Hearing Students

“…Additionally, research showed a link between low scores achieved by the deaf and hard-of-hearing group and post-task fatigue rates, with a difference that was noticeably wider when compared to the hearing group. Along with this the deaf and hard of hearing population may be at a disadvantage in several ways due to increased fatigue rates, creating even more inequities and limitations that influence well-being and engagement chances (Rodrigues, 2022).…”

Decoding visual fatigue in a visual search task selectively manipulated via myopia-correcting lenses

“…Concerning higher-level effects of visual fatigue, recent studies (Csathó et al, 2012 ; Cao et al, 2014 ; Rodrigues et al, 2022 ) utilized a visual attention task to characterize the decline in cognitive performance showing significant adverse effects of fatigue on task performance, particularly when the perceptual load of the target stimuli was high. This phenomenon also relates to the so-called cognitive fatigue—a mental exhaustion that can affect task performance and subjective affective evaluation (Bess and Hornsby, 2014 ; Karshikoff et al, 2017 ; Ioannucci et al, 2020 ; Guillemin et al, 2021 ).…”