[Blindmath] Off topic: Seeking ideas to measure computerliteracyamong Blind students of a Pakistani University.

Fri Nov 12 17:21:45 UTC 2010

Hi, Faiz-
No, I am not at a university. I work for the American Printing House for the Blind in the Accessible Tests Department. In the U.S., assistive technology and providing access to instruction and assessment materials is a huge goal. Because assistive technology enables access to the internet, email, and opens up all sorts of possibilities for learning and communication for students who are blind and visually impaired, it could be that students with visual impairments are more computer literate and more likely to be using technological devices than sighted students are.

In the U.S., we are struggling with some major issues with regard to accessibility, i.e. access to graphics-based information, access to standardized tests (because our Chafee Amendment only allows copies of textbooks and literary works; it does not provide permission for accessible copies of secure test/assessment materials, adoption of standard file format/s that enable a print material to be provided in various accessible media, development of instructional materials to teach students who are blind to effectively read/interpret tactile graphics, and more.

Good Luck with your research project!
Debbie

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Faiz Rasool
Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 7:26 AM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Off topic: Seeking ideas to measure computerliteracyamong Blind students of a Pakistani University.

Hi Debbie,

Thank you for your reply. following your suggestion, I've decided to include 
background variables in my questionnaire. Are you studying at a University? 
If you are has the University played any role to improve your computer 
literacy. I ask because currently University of karachi does not provide 
computer trainging to Blind students.

Regards,
Faiz.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Debbie Willis" <dwillis at aph.org>
To: "'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'" 
<blindmath at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 8:35 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Off topic: Seeking ideas to measure computer 
literacyamong Blind students of a Pakistani University.

Greetings, Faiz-
I think your idea to study computer literacy among blind students is an 
excellent idea.

I think you need to define "computer literacy" so that you know what you 
want to ask, and so the respondents know exactly what information you are 
needing from them.

Do you want to ask anything about "How many years have you been using 
computers?" "How much time per week do you use a computer?" "What classes or 
training have you received in using a computer?"  I think with this type of 
background info you will be able to make conclusions such as "students who 
have been using computers for at least two years are more likely to be 
computer literate...."

Be sure to include a cover letter with your questionnaire so that students 
know the purpose and importance of the study, and how the info/results will 
be used, and whether or not you plan to keep their individual responses 
confidential.

Once you have a near final draft of the questionnaire, it is very good 
practice to have a few people complete it...so you see if they complete it 
in such a way that it gives you the information you are needing, and to see 
if there is anything you understand about the questions but that does not 
seem to be clear to the respondents.

Best Wishes,
Debbie

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
Behalf Of Faiz Rasool
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 8:06 AM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: [Blindmath] Off topic: Seeking ideas to measure computer 
literacyamong Blind students of a Pakistani University.

Hi All:

Apologies for an off-topic post.

I'm planning to study computer literacy among Blind students studying in 
University of Karachi. I want to develop a measure in form of a 
questionnaire to assess it. I am not aware of any existing questionnaire 
that has been specifically designed to measure computer literacy of Blind 
University students.

I've sent this email to this list for two reasons: Firstly I  would like to 
share my ideas  on how I plan to design the questionnaire and get some 
comments. Secondly many of the members on this list have conducted or are 
presently conducting researches so I guess I can receive valuable feedback.

reason for trying to conduct this research:

I want to study computer literacy in University of Karachi because I've 
observed that it is quite low. As a result  Blind students are not able to 
search the internet for information, type assignments and use email for 
communication. So they rely on help of fellow students.

How I plan to design a questionnaire:

I want to include some questions on the knowledge of using word processors 
e.g. WordPad and Microsoft Word, of browsing the web, of using their screen 
reader and of operating system being used.

Should I include questions on any other aspect of computer use? Have I,  in 
your opinion, ignored something which is important when studying computer 
literacy   among Blind students?

Any feedback is most appreciated. Because this is an off-topic post so I'm 
happy if any member replies me off-list.

Regards,
Faiz.
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