Communities of practice on WhatsApp: A tool for promoting citizenship among students with visual impairments. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Della Líbera, Bianca; Jurberg, Claudia
• Is Part Of: British journal of visual impairment. Volume 38:Number 1(2020:Jan.)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 78
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Community of practice -- health education -- social media -- visual impairments -- WhatsApp; People with visual disabilities -- Periodicals; Blind -- Periodicals; Vision disorders -- Periodicals; Blindness -- Periodicals; People with visual disabilities -- Services for -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Blind -- Services for -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.4105
• DOI: 10.1177/0264619619874836
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-6196

Abstract

Visual impairments (VIs) impose many barriers to people when it comes to information access, and educational processes may offer tools for people to overcome these barriers and, consequently, develop autonomy and an active sense of citizenship. In these processes, information and communication technologies (ICTs) improve accessibility. Our aim was to use ICT, especially social media, in pedagogical activities developed for students with VI (blindness and low vision). Focus group interviews about technology use showed us that these students are heavy users of WhatsApp, an instant messenger app. We then established an online discussion group, as a community of practice, using WhatsApp as a discussion environment. This online group helped Brazilian students with VI develop social skills and discuss health issues they considered important to them.