Effect of Abacus Training on Numerical Ability of Students with Hearing Loss

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Purpose: The study focussed on the effect of Abacus training on numerical ability (comprising of counting and mathematical operations) of children with hearing loss.

Method: 90 students with hearing loss were sampled from 6 special schools in Mumbai, India. A quasi- experimental study was employed using two group pre-test and post-test design. Data were collected using the Numerical Ability Test (NAT) as an instrument. Six null hypotheses based on the objectives were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance using t-Test - Assuming Equal Variances.

Results: The findings revealed that the experimental group which was instructed through Abacus showed higher proficiency in numerical ability as compared to the control group instructed through the conventional method. Gender as a variable seems to influence the mean achievement of numerical ability of students with hearing loss. While girls and boys did not differ in simple tasks such as counting, boys were found to be better in mathematical operations and overall numerical ability.

Conclusions: The Abacus teaching method results in higher mathematical achievements among students with hearing loss. Gender also plays an important role in mathematical learning, as evidenced by boys demonstrating more numerical ability than girls in the study sample.

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Authors

Atul Kaluram Jadhav

Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), K.C. Marg Bandra Reclamation, Bandra (W), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050 (India)
India

 

Atul Jadhav holds a Master's degree in Economics from Shivaji University and MA Education from IDOL, Mumbai University. He also holds a M.Ed. (Hearing Impairment) degree from Mumbai University and has studied from the Department of Education, AYJNISHD (D), Mumbai. At present, Atul Jadhav is pursuing his Ph.D. in Special Education and is enrolled as a research scholar in the Department of Education, AYJNISHD (D) under the guidance of Dr. Varsha Gathoo. His research interests focus on imparting training in Abacus and teaching children with disabilities.

Varsha Shrikant Gathoo

Dr. Varsha Gathoo has a M.Sc. in Child Development from Nagpur University. She has completed her M.S. in Speech & Hearing with Area of concentration as Education of Hearing Impaired from Washington University, USA and holds a Ph.D. in Special Education from Ramakrishnan Mission Vivekanand University. She is a recipient of the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship & Fulbright Nehru Senior Research Fellowship from United States-India Education Foundation (USIEF). She is currently the Reader and Head of the Department of Education, Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech & Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan) affiliated to the University of Mumbai. Her research interests are in early intervention, school readiness, inclusive educational practices, emergent literacy skills, parent empowerment, and curricular strategies for young children with disabilities and teacher education.

How to Cite

Atul Kaluram Jadhav, Varsha Shrikant Gathoo (2018-10-02). Effect of Abacus Training on Numerical Ability of Students with Hearing Loss. Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, Vol. 29 No. 2 (2018): Summer 2018, 59-75. https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v29i2.683

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