Technology Usage For Education: Polytechnic Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Student

This article investigates the application of technology to enhance education for polytechnic deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) students. Polytechnic institutions play a crucial role in preparing students for diverse careers through hands-on, practical education. However, DHH students face unique challenges in accessing and fully participating in polytechnic programs. To provide a diverse approach, the technology focusing on visual technology, such as Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality, incorporates crucial components suitable for DHH visual learning modalities. The study uses a mixed-method approach, integrating questionnaires, interviews, and observational data to discover more about DHH lecturers’ and students’ preferred learning methods. 77 DHH Sijil Khas Operasi Katering student from selected three Polytechnic and Community Colleges gave their feedback from questionnaires, and five lecturers were interviewed to get a clearer picture of the current usage of technology among DHH students at polytechnic and community college. Results of the lecturer’s interview suggest that DHH students need visual aids, communication tools, and focus-enhancing resources to help them learn effectively, especially in cooking classes where understanding kitchen equipment and safety is crucial to prevent injuries. Meanwhile, results from DHH students’ questionnaires show students’ interest and prefer to use technology, with 88% agreeing to use technology such as Games, AR, VR and AR Games for their teaching and learning process and to make their learning process more interesting, fun and enjoyable. Integrating the use of technology and information technology as part of the approach of teaching aids to deaf students is hoped to help them to understand better, focus and have more fun in learning.