The challenges of pictorial illustrations in texts faced by students : the case of the University of Limpopo in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

This study explored the challenges of pictorial illustrations in texts faced by Students: The case of the University of Limpopo in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study seeks to contribute to the process of understanding pictorial illustrations in a teaching and learning environment, where there are VI (visually impaired) students. This study employed a qualitative research approach, and interviews were used to collect data from the respondents. The respondents were ten VI students, five lecturers in the English discipline and two braillists from Reakgona Disability Centre. The selection was based on the roles they play in the learning and preparing of learning materials for VI students. The overall findings from the VI students were that pictorial illustrations are challenging when students are learning English language courses. It was established that pictorials materials exclude and confuse VI students when they are learning. Those pictorials also discourage participation of VI students, as they cannot see the pictorials. On the other hand, lecturers have challenges in explaining and describing pictorials during lessons. Again, it was discovered that when developing pictorial illustrations VI students are not taken into consideration because most content always includes pictorials. The overall findings from the braillists were that English language learning materials with pictorial illustrations are not easy to convert to braille and to enlarge for VI students. The study recommended ways to deal with pictorials in lessons and materials. For example, workshops to help lecturers to accommodate VI students in the learning environment. The study encouraged a good working relationship to assist VI students to overcome pictorial challenges in English courses. This study was intended to offer assistance in terms of the challenges experienced by V1 students with regard to pictorials illustrations in English language learning materials and courses.