While the move towards the inclusion of learners with a learning disability gains momentum, the Deaf community is reluctant for the inclusion of deaf learners in a mainstream society. Arguing that the needs of deaf learners are entirely different to those of other learning disabilities, they believe that a mainstream educational environment will deprive a deaf learner with a sense of identity and a common culture. Consequently, the purpose of this research essay is to investigate the experiences of a solitary mainstreamed deaf learner in a high school educational environment, and to try and ascertain the effect such an educational environment has had on him. My participant is currently the only deaf learner in his school. He is completing Grade 12 this year at an IEB school. Utilising an oral-audal mode of communication, as well as having a cochlear implant and an assistive device, the participant communicates predominantly through lip-reading and speaking English. He identifies himself as belonging to a hearing world, and as such his exposure to other deaf peers, Deaf culture and Sign language is minimal. This research study employed a qualitative research design and data was collected using documentation, an open questionnaire, observation and an in-depth interview. All data collected was analysed using the qualitative content analysis technique. Each data source was analysed, data was broken down into codes, grouped into common categories and finally placed in educationally relevant themes. In this research essay, four themes were identified, namely the learning environment, mode of communication, socialisation in a hearing world and mainstream versus specialised educational settings. Through the analysis of the data it became evident that aspects such as the curriculum, educators’ teaching strategies and methodologies, as well as the school’s extra-curricular programme all contributed to the learner’s learning environment. While utilising an oral-audal mode of communication, the participant’s audal input is affected by his ability to lip-read, environmental pollution, and his familiarity with the speaker. Because he has been exposed to a hearing environment from birth, he has developed adequate socialisation skills. While preferring to socialise with individuals who are familiar with him, he does however not mind socialising with strangers. As such he has developed good social skills. While having been exposed to both a mainstream and a specialised educational setting during his educational career, the participant has enjoyed the opportunities mainstream education has afforded him and encourages other deaf learners to mainstream as he has. He does however state that in order to succeed within a mainstream environment, the deaf learner has to be self-motivated, confident and an active participant both in and out of the classroom. In addition, the participant felt that having mainstreamed had affected his character, making him quieter, more sensitive, gentle and emotionally strong. In essence, the following study has helped to highlight both the benefits and challenges a deaf learner faces in a mainstream educational environment. Through the concerted and unified efforts of all stakeholders – the school, its educators, the deaf learner and his family, it becomes evident that deaf learners can be successfully included and achieve positive academic, emotional and social development. / Mrs. O.R. Pettipher

M.Ed. / This study explores how digital video conferencing (DVC) supports the teaching and learning of Deaf learners providing access to an appropriate curriculum. Whilst there are policies addressing the educational needs of the Deaf in South Africa, there are still gaps between policy and practice, as a result there are not enough visible results that ensure equal access and equal opportunities. The lack of visual educational technologies that support the delivery of instruction in schools for the Deaf in South Africa create barriers to effective teaching and learning. The main aim of this study is, how does digital video conferencing support the teaching and learning of Deaf. Also, the experiences of Deaf learners who are exposed to digital video conferencing technologies will be described. The findings will be used to make recommendations for improving the teaching and learning strategies in Deaf education. This study also examines how Digital Video Conferencing and related educational technologies support the teaching and learning of Deaf learners. According to DEAFSA, 2002, 14.43% of learners within special educational needs are Deaf. In my 14 years experience in Deaf education, and 11 years as principal of the school for Deaf learners, I have found that barriers exist in Deaf learners who are part of the system. The constructivist theory which focuses on the individual in the learning process, will be used in this study. This study proves that Digital video conferencing intervention can minimize the barriers that exist in Deaf education and afford learners the opportunity to participate in and make use of their natural language, that is South African Sign Language. The qualitative research design is therefore most appropriate for this study, since the focus is to obtain data that could facilitate an understanding of the experience of Deaf learners, whose teaching and learning sites are supported using digital video conferencing technologies. The video recorded responses from Deaf participants increased the validity of the data. The participants in this study are twelve grade 10 (N1) Deaf learners from Tshwane north. The participants being Deaf learners in this research project receive instruction as activities from their educator using DVC. The findings revealed that DVC liberates learners with special needs and their teachers, especially, opening up opportunities for the Deaf in particular. DVC technology must be seen as an educational tool to support the delivery of the exciting National Curriculum Statements (NCS) curriculum, and more importantly, supports the communicative modes of the Deaf, and in doing, so improves the status of Deaf education in South Africa Finally this new role requires the educator of the Deaf to assume responsibility for creating within Deaf learners a desire to learn (Storbeck, 1998). In doing so, using DVC technologies would foster an ethos of achievement among Deaf learners. DVC technology provides exactly what the Deaf have been waiting for, that is educational technologies that would support the acquisition of their natural language, South African Sign Language. The use of DVC technology in the teaching and learning of Deaf learners in South Africa is a new concept, therefore it is necessary for the teacher of the Deaf to use instructional methods that motivate learners and encourage active learning. / Prof. J. Pillay