Biography:
Dr. Odeke-Nato Joseph is a Lecturer in the Department of Visual Impairment Studies, Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation, Kyambogo University, Uganda. Joseph is one of the pioneer staff who has worked for twenty-six (26) years in the faculty. His tenure dates back to the early 1990s when the faculty was still known as Uganda National Institute of Special Education (UNISE).
He began his teaching career in visual impairment studies as a Braille Producer in 1998 and later became a Teaching Assistant in 1999 until 2002. After the merger of UNISE to form the Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation in 2002, Joseph became an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Special Needs Studies up to 2020. Dr. Odeke-Nato attained the role of Lecturer in 2021 after acquiring a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the University of Oslo (UiO), Norway. His Ph.D. research focused on “Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Teacher Education: Towards Facilitating Conducive Learning Environments for Learners with Visual Impairment.”
He has a strong professional background in Special Needs Education Studies, with a Master of Philosophy in Special Needs Education from the University of Oslo (UiO), Norway, as well as a Bachelor’s and Diploma in the same field from Kyambogo University, Uganda. His research interest is focused on teacher preparation to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for teaching learners with visual impairment in both inclusive and special schools, teacher knowledge on curriculum design, innovation and implementation for operational inclusion of learners with visual impairment, and the transitional experiences of persons with visual impairment from school/institution to work.
Dr. Odeke-Nato has provided consultancy services, notably serving as a Technical Consultant (Braille) in the UNICEF-LEGO Braille Bricks Pilot Project in Uganda, implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Uganda. UNICEF Braille Bricks Project.
Current Job Title
- Lecturer, 2021-Present
Department
Visual Impartment Studies,
Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation, Kyambogo University, Uganda
Academic Qualifications:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), in Education, University of Oslo, (UiO), Norway, 2015-2021.
- Master of Philosophy in Special Needs Education (MPhil), University of Oslo, (UiO), Norway, 2004-2006.
- Bachelor of Education, Special Needs Education (BED/SNE), Makerere University, Uganda, 2000-2002.
- Diploma in Special Needs Education (Dip, Sped), Institute of Teacher Education Kyambogo (ITEK), Uganda, 1995-1997.
Past Work Experience:
- Lecturer, Department of Special Needs Studies, Kyambogo University, 2021- Present
- Assistant Lecturer, Department of Special Needs Studies, Kyambogo University, 2010- 2021
- Assistant Lecturer, Uganda National Institute of Special Education (UNISE) 2002 – 2010
- Teaching Assistant, Uganda National Institute of Special Education (UNISE) 1999 – 2001
- Braille Producer, Uganda National Institute of Special Education (UNISE), 1998 – 2002
- Grade III Teacher, Magale Girls Boarding Primary School, Mbale District, Uganda,1991 -1997
Additional Responsibilities Held:
Project Coordinator, Inclusive e-learning Pilot Project at the Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation implemented by Cyber School Technologies Solutions (CSTS), Uganda in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.
Research areas of Interest:
- Teacher preparation to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a pedagogical tool when teaching learners with visual impairment with focus in both inclusive and special schools.
- Teacher knowledge on curriculum design, innovation and implementation for operational inclusion of learners with visual impairment.
- Transitional experiences of persons with visual impairment from school/institution to the world of work.
Research Reports Written:
Odeke-Nato, J. (2021). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in teacher education: Towards facilitating conducive learning environments for learners with visual impairment. Supervisor (s): Professor Heidi Biseth, University of South – Eastern Norway (Main)., and Professor Eevi Elisabeth Beck, University of Oslo, Norway.
Odeke-Nato, J. (2006). Teachers’ experiences when teaching mathematics to children who are blind in primary one inclusive class; A case study of two primary schools in Eastern Uganda. Supervisors: Associate Professor Dr. Solveig-Alma Halaas Lyster University of Oslo, Norway, Mr. Daniel Alenyo.
Selected Graduate Students’ Research Supervised:
Completed Supervision
- Mukhwana Michael, Reg. No. ICT and its influence on the performance of students with low vision in secondary schools in Mukono District. Master in Special Needs Education, Kyambogo University, Graduated in 2021
- Suleiman Ibrahim Elisha, Reg. No. 17/X/14826/GMSN. Participation of adults with visual impairment in literacy skill development programs; a case of Tabora Municipality, Tanzania. Master in Special Needs Education, Kyambogo University, Graduated in 2019
- Basukwa Philpo, Reg. No. 19/X/GMSN/18725/PD. Hearing aids use in inclusive secondary schools: their effectiveness on learning of student with hearing impairment. A case of one selected District in Tanzania. Master in Special Needs Education, Kyambogo University, Graduated in 2023
- Elipu Stephen, Reg. No. 20/U/GMSN/13089/WKD. Access and use of ICT by Pre-service teachers with low vision in PTCs to enhance Learning. Master in Special Needs Education, Kyambogo University, Graduated in 2023
- Wakoli Conorias Lucy, Reg. No. 20/U/GMSN/13104/WKD. Transition experiences by the youth with cognitive impairment from vocational institutions to the world of Master in Special Needs Education, Kyambogo University, Graduated in 2023
Ongoing Supervision:
- Sirikire Sarah. Reg. No. 19/U/GMSN/18739/PD. Teaching integrated production skills to student teachers with visual impairment; A case of Bishop Willis Teacher Training Institute, Iganga district. Master in Special Needs Education Kyambogo University. Defended repost and made correction
- Sanya Jackson Obale, Reg. No. 20/GMSN/13102/WKD. Children with visual impairment perspectives on the effects of Hi-Tech assistive devices to support learners with visual impairment in Uganda. Master in Special Needs Education, Kyambogo Defended and made corrections.
- Akol Agnes, Reg. No. 21/U/GMSN/13998/PE. Assistive Technology: Its use in teaching mathematics to learners with visual impairment in inclusive secondary school in Eastern Uganda. Master in Special Needs Education, Kyambogo University. Defended and is making corrections.
- Kyasimiire Phiona B, Reg. No. 20/U/GMSN/14320/WKD. Inclusion of students with low vision during practical lessons in Mukono District, Uganda. Master in Special Needs Education, Kyambogo University. Waiting for defense.
- Suleiman Hadija, Reg. No. 21/U/GMSN/14320/WKD. Use of digital learning resources for learning by students with visual impairment: A case study of one selected University in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania. Master in Special Needs Education, Kyambogo University. Waiting for defense.
Consultancy Services or Projects :
Technical Consultant (Braille), The LEGO Braille Bricks Pilot Project in Uganda, by Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Uganda funded by UNICEF. Link Here:
Membership of Corporate, Social and Professional Bodies:
- Member, Association of Special Needs Education Teachers of Uganda (ASNETU), 2017-Present
- Member, School Management Committee, Kyambogo University Primary School, Uganda, 2013-present