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Perception of the Students with Visual Impairment Regarding Environmentalism: A Case Study

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Education, University of Calcutta, 1 Reformatory Street, Kolkata, West Bengal, INDIA
  • 2 Department of Education, Sarsuna College (Affiliated to University of Calcutta),4/HB/A, Ho-Chi-Minh Sarani, Kolkata, West Bengal, INDIA

Res. J.Educational Sci., Volume 1, Issue (6), Pages 18-22, August,1 (2013)

Abstract

This paper underscores the importance of doing qualitative research in the context of environmental education with a special group of respondents, the students with visual impairment. In this regard it is necessary to understand in depth how this group of school students perceives their physical world, its degradation and what they really want to do for its protection. The sample of the present study comprises the students with visual impairment (N=40) studying in classes IX to XII (age range 14-25 years). This study is based on purposive sampling. The quantitative research in this respect may not yield adequate information. The students as bounded cases are more likely to reveal relevant data. Since case study is a holistic approach, the application of this method in studying the perception of the visually challenged students is appropriate. Through the coding of responses from research questions it was observed that these students have high level of awareness about intricacies of environmental problems. They also reported that they are willing to take various actions to safeguard the environment. At the same time they spoke about the various types of impediments for which they find it difficult implement their behavioural intention in to actual practice.

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