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

[Philip So]

Yes, Faiz.  I am studying at an university and used to work for a
center that trains visually impaired people Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
etc.
Thanks for helping me with my SPSS.  I am still working with IBM to
get SPSS to work with JAWS.  It's a process. sigh.  I will let you
know when I can get my SPSS to talk.
Phil


On 11/12/10, Debbie Willis <dwillis at aph.org> wrote:
> 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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