Deaf College Students In China Studies, Web-based Self-learning

This paper investigated the status and issues of web-based self-regulated learning (SRL) of deaf undergraduates. A group of random selected subjects who were taking web-based courses were studied using questionnaire and interview. The research indicated that the availability of the university network learning environment is one of the prerequisite for web-based learning. The deaf undergraduates in this study demonstrated good performance conducting web-based SRL. They showed great confidence and interests in web-based SRL, they unutilized the learning strategies successfully, and demonstrated good capability of self-monitor, self-control and self-evaluation of one' s own learning behavior to ensure following the procedures during the learning task. The more time the subjects spend on web-based SRL or searching for information on the internet, the better their performance on web-based SRL. Web-based SRL had a positive impact on the learning of deaf undergraduates. It' s one of the greatest channels for deaf undergraduates to obtain information. It drew the students by its vivid and attractive style. Web-based SRL had an advantage in communication over traditional face to face communication in the classroom. It helped the deaf undergraduates to improve the effectiveness of learning. Some issues associated with web-based SRL of deaf undergraduates emerged in this study. They were: 1) the unsatisfactory self-study skills of deaf undergraduates, 2) the lack of appropriate courseware and software, 3)the low utilization of the internet-wired multimedia classroom. It was recommended that the future practice should 1) emphasize teacher' s guidance and other monitoring system during web-based SRL, 2) stimulate students' interests and improve their learning skills, 3) develop learning software which meets the needs of deaf undergraduates, 4) and adopt suitable software used in general...