Challenge to support learning for students with hearing impairments due to the new corona being temporarily closed 16:36 April 27
While temporary school closures continued in various places due to the spread of new coronavirus, cases where hearing-impaired students could not take online lessons with subtitles and sign language interpreters and could not proceed to study at home as desired Is also out. It is expected that the school will be closed for a long time, and how to maintain the quality of education is an issue.
Aysuke Inoue (16), a second year high school student living in Musashimurayama, Tokyo, is born deaf and uses sign language to live.
Inoue's deaf school in Tokyo, where he goes to school, has been temporarily closed since last month, and he spends his days doing his homework at home.
While the school is closed, the school will contact you once a week to confirm your family status, etc., but you will not be able to ask your teacher what you do not know during your studies.
I thought about using the materials distributed online for the general public, but I gave up because I didn't understand the contents because there were no subtitles or sign language interpreters.
The chances of communicating not only with teachers but also with friends have greatly decreased. Mr. Inoue says, "I'm getting more and more stressed. I want to study at school soon after the new coronavirus subsides."
In addition, her mother Mayumi said, “I'm losing my life in one day, I do some homework, and I spend the days when the day ends. My parents can't teach me so much, so I can't go to school a little more. Wants to treat children closely, including communication. "
According to the "Tachikawa Deaf School High School" that Mr. Inoue attends, many faculty members are forced to work from home, and the environment for online lessons is not prepared, so it is not possible to respond. .
Norihiko Kato said, “Currently, we are preparing to introduce home learning that uses information and communication technology. We are working on trial and error in a situation that we have never experienced, and I would like to continue to improve learning support as much as possible. ”
Preparing to introduce online classes
Regarding the learning support for students with hearing impairments, the Tokyo Board of Education is preparing to introduce online learning using the Internet to special needs schools in Tokyo.
However, depending on the household, the Internet environment may not be fully prepared and it may not be possible to support the large amount of videos to be distributed, so the Metropolitan Board of Education is considering specific measures, including distribution methods.
On the other hand, some private schools offer free online classes with sign language interpreters for students who are deaf.
Those who wish to take an online lesson on Japanese language or mathematics from next month at the earliest as soon as possible We are going to do it for free.
Professor Saito said, “For those who use sign language, facial expressions are also one of the letters, so I would like to actively use online classes to ensure the quality of education.”