“Inclusive Geometry Curriculum for the Deaf and Hard-of-hearing” receives 2024 ASCEND Excellence Award for Graduate Research

The 2024 ASCEND Excellence Award for Graduate Research was conferred on Mr Vitus Paul L De Jesus, a PhD candidate in Mathematics Education for his research work entitled “Inclusive Geometry Curriculum for the Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Mainstream Classroom: A Curriculum Adaptation Model”.  Dr Angela Fatima H Guzon from the Department of Mathematics was his faculty adviser.

Mr De Jesus was duly recognized for his meaningful and impactful research work during this year’s “PAGHAHANDOG 2024: Pinuno ng Misyon” awarding ceremony which was held last 10 June 2024 at the Leong Hall Auditorium.

Few public schools in the Philippines offer basic education to the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing learners in a mainstream classroom setup. Studies have expressed the need for modifications in the learning environment, curriculum, instruction, and activities of language-challenged learners, especially those mainstreamed or placed in predominantly hearing classrooms.

In light of the well-established existence of these learners’ achievement gap in Mathematics, and the benefits of curriculum modification to learners with special needs, Mr De Jesus’ study aimed to conceptualize a curriculum adaptation model that would modify mathematics curriculum and make it more appropriate and responsive to these disadvantaged students in a mainstream classroom.

His research focused on the Grade 7 Geometry curriculum for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students of three public high schools in Metro Manila, namely Quirino High School located in Quezon City, Manila High School, and Ramon Magsaysay High School in the City of Manila. His proposed model was developed and refined through a three-stage process of examining different curricular components and how they work and influence each other based on data from student assessments and teacher interviews.

His suggested model now serves as a guide for educators and curriculum developers in recreating curricula of mathematics subjects for a community of learners with special needs or unique learning contexts.

Every year, the Ateneo Socio-Civic Engagement for National Development (ASCEND) Awards honors undergraduate, senior, and graduate students for projects and research work that demonstrate mastery of subject matter while engaging communities and institutions outside the Ateneo in contributing to national development. Projects are development interventions that have been implemented with observable impact while research work contributes to knowledge creation with the potential for social impact.

The ASCEND Excellence award is given to a particular project or research work that is the most outstanding at the undergraduate, senior, or graduate level and manifests in an extraordinary manner, all three of the following criteria:

1. Extraordinary mastery of subject matter and application of synthetic thinking.
2. Deep and extensive engagement with partner communities and institutions.
3. Addresses a national development concern in a strongly strategic and creative manner with very significant short-term impact on target beneficiaries and/or the potential for significant longer-term impact in promoting the well-being of the greatest number.

It is through ASCEND that the Ateneo continuously nurtures and motivates its students to be compassionate leaders and effective change-makers, keeping the spirit of "persons for and with others" alive and fostering a culture of service and leadership in the realm of national development.

Photos courtesy of the following:

• Monica Isabel Jose from The Guidon
• Mr Vitus Paul L De Jesus, recipient of the 2024 ASCEND Excellence Award for Graduate Research