A Visual Haptic System for Children with Learning Disabilities: Software and Hardware Design Considerations

Autor/inn/en	Subrahmaniyan, Neeraja; Krishnaswamy, Swetha; Chowriappa, Ashirwad; Srimathveeravalli, Govindarajan; Bisantz, Ann; Shriber, Linda; Kesavadas, Thenkurussi
Titel	A Visual Haptic System for Children with Learning Disabilities: Software and Hardware Design Considerations
Quelle	In: Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 23 (2012) 2, S.113-141 (29 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1093-023X
Schlagwörter	Learning Disabilities; Educational Technology; Feedback (Response); Computer Software; Computer Games; Usability; Computers; Computer Uses in Education; Visual Stimuli; Technological Advancement; Psychomotor Skills; Children; Occupational Therapy; Tactual Perception; Urban Schools; Elementary School Students + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Learning handicap; Lernbehinderung; Unterrichtsmedien; Computer game; Computerspiel; Computerspiele; Digitalrechner; Computernutzung; Technological development; Technologische Entwicklung; Psychomotorische Aktivität; Child; Kind; Kinder; Beschäftigungstherapie; Taktile Wahrnehmung; Urban area; Urban areas; School; Schools; Stadtregion; Stadt; Schule
Abstract	Research has shown that children with learning disabilities exhibit considerable challenges with visual motor integration. While there are specialized Occupational Therapy interventions aimed at visual motor integration, computer games and virtual toys have now become increasingly popular, forming an integral part of children's learning and play. Technological advancements, especially in the field of Virtual Environment and Haptics, provide the opportunity to incorporate force feedback and multiple sensory modalities (visual, audio, tactical and propioceptive) into interactive games. This paper presents a preliminary qualitative evaluation of three iterations of haptic games designed to improve visual-motor integration in children with a spectrum of learning disabilities. Data was collected from ten children to evaluate - 1) the usability of the games, in terms of children's engagement, sustained interest and level of fun in playing the games, and 2) the compatibility of the system's hardware with Occupational Therapy standards. The results indicate that children enjoyed playing most games, demonstrated sustained interest and were not resistant to interacting with the technology. This result is promising and lends credence to the feasibility of implementing training interventions using Haptics. Lessons learned and recommendations for future design have been discussed both from the standpoint of interaction design and Occupational Therapy. The paper demonstrates the value of the multidisciplinary approach of combining both usability and occupation therapy evaluation methods to improve the software and hardware design of the haptic device. (Contains 4 figures and 1 table.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. P.O. Box 1545, Chesapeake, VA 23327. Tel: 757-366-5606; Fax: 703-997-8760; e-mail: info@aace.org; Web site: http://www.aace.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10