Software for Math and Science Education for the Deaf
By Adamo-Villani, Nicoletta; Wilbur, Ronnie; Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 115-124Publication Date: March 2010
Article describes the development of two novel approaches to teaching math and science concepts to deaf children using three dimensional (3D) animated interactive software. (1) Mathsigner, a non-immersive computer game, contains sets of activities designed to teach K-6 math concepts, signs, and corresponding English terminology. The software contains two programs, one aimed at deaf children and the other at deaf and hearing parents. (2) Science and Math in an Immersive Learning Environment (SMILE) is an immersive Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in which deaf and hearing children age 5 to 10 learn science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts and American Sign Language (ASL) terminology through user interaction with 3D avatars that communicate in ASL and spoken English. Preliminary development findings of usability and appeal are reported based on program features, such as 2D versus 3D, immersiveness, interaction type, avatar, and interface design; and study participant features including hearing status, gender, and age. Program features of 2D versus 3D, immersiveness, and interaction type were very much affected by participant features. Among participant features, significant effects were found of hearing status, with deaf children taking longer time and making more mistakes than hearing children; and gender, as girls were found to take longer than boys, preferring immersive environments over desktop presentation, and being more interested in content than technology compared to boys. For avatar type, a preference was found for seamless, deformable characters over segmented ones. There were no participant related effects for interface comparisons, but an animated interface resulted in reduced time for task completion compared to static interfaces.
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Limited (Website:http://taylorandfrancis.org)
International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.isprm.org )
Link to text: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/17483100903387499
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J58525
