Utilization of Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) E-Sign Library to Improve the Signing Skills of Deaf, Hard-of-hearing (DHH) Learners, and Stakeholders

Abstract

The acquisition of an extensive vocabulary will enable young readers to recognize terms they are familiar with or have previously encountered through memory or visual recognition.  The distinctive learning traits of Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) learners can pose challenges in their reading abilities.  Sign language serves as their principal mode of communication owing to their visual learning capabilities.  The majority of Filipino DHH learners experience challenges in understanding written vocabulary. Results from the teacher-created evaluation administered to Key Stage 1 pupils and adult learners indicate that they are categorized at the Frustration Level.  The primary objective of this project is to tackle the difficulties faced by DHH learners regarding written language and to enhance the sign language proficiency of adult hearing learners through an intervention known as the PSD E-Sign Library. The intervention consisted of multimedia learning materials accessible on any Android or iOS device.  The research employed a mixed-methods strategy to gather both quantitative and qualitative data.   Quantitative data were collected by the administration of pre- and post-tests to 36 student participants from grades 1, 2, and 3.  Nine parents or guardians of the learner-participants acted as the adult learner-participants. The pre- and post-test results indicate a substantial increase in the mean percentage score, which implies that the PSD E-sign Library is a potent and effective multimedia learning intervention for enhancing the sign language and literacy of Key Stage 1 DHH learners and adult learners.  The learners' post-test results were classified as independent reading, indicating that they were able to independently communicate using sign language with exceptional comprehension following the intervention. Qualitative data was gathered using survey questionnaires and focus group interviews with the chosen stakeholders.   The stakeholders' overall assessment of the PSD E-Sign Library was overwhelmingly positive, indicating a strong recommendation for its use as a learning intervention to enhance literacy and sign language knowledge among grades 1, 2, 3 DHH kids and adult learners.   Stakeholders advocate augmenting the intervention by incorporating a slow-motion component and integrating further new sign varieties of Filipino Sign Language.