HTML5 Audio Language Learning Tool for the Blind
Mentor 1
Jacques C Du Plessis
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
28-4-2017 1:30 PM
End Date
28-4-2017 4:00 PM
Description
Ubiquitous access and cloud-centric designs have fundamentally impacted the way we communicate and learn. Sadly, those who are blind are not as well served. Their technologies are expensive and addresses reading and writing, but audio interactive tools to focus on learning is lacking - greatly due to weak profit making prospects.
With a focus on the international blind community, our research focuses on the development of an open web-based audio interactive fact-learning environment. This flash card system is designed to automate the recall of facts, such as foreign language vocabulary.
To best address the needs of economically underserved communities, we develop with HTML5, avoiding proprietary technologies, and our data formats are open. The design makes it easy for non-technical subject matter experts to contribute. We accommodate both recorded audio and text2speech to generate audio. We have spent much time in the development of the interface to maximize the design for both blind and sighted students. Here are some of the key design features: User can control the speed of presentation of the cards in the stack, as well as the speed of the two audio prompts for each card. Known cards can be eliminated, an update is always available for the number of cards left to do, and the stack can be randomized.
Although the tool is fully functional for sighted learners as well, including the use of text and images, having sighted learners use the blind mode shows research promise of enhanced concentration and effective learning.
HTML5 Audio Language Learning Tool for the Blind
Union Wisconsin Room
Ubiquitous access and cloud-centric designs have fundamentally impacted the way we communicate and learn. Sadly, those who are blind are not as well served. Their technologies are expensive and addresses reading and writing, but audio interactive tools to focus on learning is lacking - greatly due to weak profit making prospects.
With a focus on the international blind community, our research focuses on the development of an open web-based audio interactive fact-learning environment. This flash card system is designed to automate the recall of facts, such as foreign language vocabulary.
To best address the needs of economically underserved communities, we develop with HTML5, avoiding proprietary technologies, and our data formats are open. The design makes it easy for non-technical subject matter experts to contribute. We accommodate both recorded audio and text2speech to generate audio. We have spent much time in the development of the interface to maximize the design for both blind and sighted students. Here are some of the key design features: User can control the speed of presentation of the cards in the stack, as well as the speed of the two audio prompts for each card. Known cards can be eliminated, an update is always available for the number of cards left to do, and the stack can be randomized.
Although the tool is fully functional for sighted learners as well, including the use of text and images, having sighted learners use the blind mode shows research promise of enhanced concentration and effective learning.
