An intelligent e-learning system to promote an inclusive classroom experience for deaf and hard of hearing students in a Ghanaian university

Abstract

Millions of persons with disabilities living in low-income countries cannot access either primary, secondary, or tertiary education due to the lack of infrastructure, digital tools, and devices that promote inclusive learning. According to a definition given by UNESCO, "inclusive education means includent student with disabilities in the mainstream school environment" [33]. This research addresses the project them of developing an intelligent learning system to enhance an inclusive classroom experience for Deaf/Hard of Hearing students (D/HH) in a Ghanaian university. The aim of this research is to identify how an Elearning system can improve the English abilities of Deaf students in a tertiary institution which is in line with the mandate of the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (S.D.G.4) of "Quality Education for all". Data is collected from primary sources through surveys and focus groups with identified D/HH students, School Administrators, and teachers of D/HH students. The paper answers the research question "How can an E-learning system support an inclusive classroom experience for D/HH students in a Ghanaian university?" The results of this research will shape how an E-learning system can be adopted to support inclusive education in various tertiary institutions across Ghana.