ERIC Number: EJ1440642
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1464-3154
EISSN: EISSN-1557-069X
The Life Experiences of Deaf Georgian Students during the COVID-19 Lockdowns: A Time of Quiet Waiting
Deafness & Education International, v26 n3 p232-254 2024
Deaf and hard-of-hearing students were greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to communication barriers, social distancing, and difficulties with distance education. Numerous researchers have investigated the experiences of such students during the COVID-19 pandemic, but generally addressed single aspects of their lives; hence, there is a need to investigate the broader impact of the pandemic on deaf students. Notably, very few local or international studies on the experiences of deaf students in Georgia are available. To address this gap, I employed qualitative methods to frame the accounts and memories of deaf students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data for this study were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 12 such students attending specialised boarding schools for the deaf in Georgia. Four main themes were identified: the impact of COVID-19 on their moods, the substantial increase in screen time due to distance learning and screen-based social interactions, the dual nature of COVID-19 as a catalyst for increased interactions with family members, and its role in prompting contemplations of the future. This article describes and explores the lived experiences of deaf students and contributes to the collective memory of affected communities by highlighting the value of individual voices, particularly in a small country that is often unknown or overlooked.
Descriptors: COVID-19, Pandemics, Deafness, School Closing, Foreign Countries, Residential Schools, Students with Disabilities, Student Attitudes, Secondary School Students, Psychological Patterns, Mass Media Use, Handheld Devices, Interpersonal Relationship, Electronic Learning, Recreational Activities, Leisure Time, Memory, Groups
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Georgia Republic
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A