Learning Through Infographics: An Innovative Approach to Developing the Reading Comprehension Skills of Children With Hearing Impairments

Infographics are visual tools that combine textual information with graphic elements in an interactive format, helping to simplify abstract concepts and present them in an easily understandable and accessible manner. Their importance is particularly evident in how they support learners with special educational needs, especially children with hearing impairments who rely more heavily on visual input for acquiring knowledge. In response to the need for teaching strategies that align with the visual learning styles of this target group, this study explores the impact of using infographics as an instructional tool to develop reading comprehension skills across three levels: literal, inferential, and critical. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design and was conducted on a purposive sample of fifty students with hearing impairments in Amman, the capital of Jordan. Participants were divided into two groups: an experimental group that received instruction through infographics and a control group that was taught using conventional methods. Data was collected using a specially designed test to measure improvement in reading skills. The results reveal a significant enhancement of reading comprehension in students in the experimental group compared to those in the control group. Furthermore, the experimental group outperformed their previous results in the delayed post-test, indicating the lasting impact of learning through infographics. Based on the results, infographics are recommended to be integrated into curricula tailored for students with hearing impairments and teachers should be trained to design and implement infographics in ways that align with the specific needs and characteristics of this group.