Determining the design principles of the mobile application for English words teaching for the hearing impaired learners

In Turkey, there are 51,647 disabled learners in the higher education system according to YÖKSİS data (YÖK, 2020). When the literature is examined; although it is seen that the studies are on different types of disabilities, it was determined that most of the studies were conducted with individuals with autism (Subakan ve Koç, 2019). So, it can be said that the scarcity of research on hearing impaired learners and the comprehensive use of technologies used in the education of learners draws attention. Considering the educational needs and characteristics of hearing-impaired learners, it can be stated that the use of audiovisual and interactive activities to develop letter-sound relationship, meaning and usage, syntax and oral language skills comes to the fore in the education that should be given. In line with the studies in the literature, it is possible to say that the concept of mobile learning, which emerged in parallel with technological developments as well as traditional methods, has also found a place in the education of hearing impaired learners. In this study, the design process of a mobile vocabulary learning application will be described in order to increase the correct teaching and use of basic words in English. In the light of the qualitative and quantitative data obtained from the questionnaire form sent to hearing-impaired learners studying at Anadolu University Open Education Faculty in the 2022-2023 Academic Year, the design process of a mobile learning application that can meet the educational needs of hearing-impaired learners within the scope of universal design principles for mobile-assisted learning of English vocabulary will be revealed. Also, it is thought that this study, which also addresses the acceptance and readiness levels of mobile technologies and are important variables in the process of designing a mobile application, will guide future studies and contribute to meeting the need in the field.