EFFECTIVENESS OF MULTI-SENSORY APPROACH IN LEARNING BOTANY AMONG THE STUDENTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

Students with visual impairment (SWVI) due to loss of visual perception demand for stimulation of remaining senses. Multi-sensory approach conveys passing information through senses like touch and movement—called tactile and kinesthetic elements—as well as sight and hearing. Since, Science especially Botany heavily depends on visual instruction; students with visual impairment may face hitches in constructing abstract concept as well as the practical knowledge. In rudimentary level, the SWVI need to use their remaining senses like olfactory, gustatory etc. for better understanding of the concept of Botany and which is easily available around them. Current study was taken up with the objective to find out the effectiveness of multi-sensory approach in learning Botany among the students with visual impairment. Single subject pre test-post test control group design has been adopted by using experimental method at Hoogly district, West Bengal. Sample of 20 SWVI were selected from various schools through purposive sampling method. An observation schedule developed by the researcher was used to collect relevant data from the samples. The collected data was analysed quantitatively and qualitatively and the results of the study show that multi-sensory approach has a significant impact on the learning of Botany concepts among students with visual impairment. The study suggests initiating use of multi-sensory approach which encourages the development and integration of all remaining senses in enhancing perceptions and concepts.