Abstract
The Assistive Technology for Children with Learning Disabilities (ATCLD) is a computer software program developed for upper primary education learners of Eros Girls School (EGS) situated in Eros, Windhoek, Namibia. The notion of the development of ATCLD initiated from the idea of improving the occurrence of teaching and learning since the time the traditional methods applicable to mainstream classes were used at EGS. The ATCLD was implemented to improve academic performance of learners with dyslexia in EGS and will be implemented across various needy schools around Namibia. The specifications of this application follows from the fact that people with dyslexia have problems related to English language and mathematics (dyscalculia). ATCLD technologies improve dyslexia learners' capabilities through repetition to aid the learners developing specific skills. ATCLD can be generalised to accommodate other learning deficiencies such as language processing disorder and audio processing disorder.
TopLiterature Review
Handling of Preferences and Needs Within AAL (X) Systems
Assistive Technology is perceived in academic circles as a viable option to enhance quality of life of individuals affected with impairments, in addition AAL systems is an acronym for Ambient Assisted Living systems as stipulated by (Augusto, 2014). The success of this technology hugely depends on the effective satisfaction of the final users. AAL is as well-known as an intelligent environment. AAL is based on 9 main principles listed below:
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Healthcare. To be intelligent to recognize a situation where it can help.
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To be sensible to recognize when it is allowed to offer help.
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To deliver help according to the needs and preferences of those which is helping.
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To achieve its goals without demanding from the user/s technical knowledge to benefit from its help.
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To preserve privacy of the user/s.
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To prioritize safety of the user/s at all times.
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To have autonomous behaviour.
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To be able to operate without forcing changes on the look and feel of the environment or on the normal routines of the environment inhabitants.
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To adhere to the principle that the user is in command and the computer obeys, and not viceversa.
When one compares ATCLD to AAL, the 9 principles on which AAL is based are also common to ATCLD. ATCLD is capable of the following as mentioned above. In addition, the below points further makes ATCLD an intellectual system.
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Recognises situations where it can help when a user prompts it.
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Preserves privacy of the user/s.
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Prioritises safety of the user/s at all times.
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It has autonomous behaviour.
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Amongst others are the principle ATCLD is based on
Key Terms in this Chapter
Kinesthetic Learning: Is a learning style in which learning takes place by the students carrying out physical activities, rather than listening or watching demonstrations.
Assistive Technology: Is a piece of equipment, or software program, or product system that is usually used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.
Medical Technology: Is a medical product, service or solution used to save and improve people's medical conditions including saving lives.
Text to Speech: Is a technology for reading aloud digital text: usually it reads words/phrases on computers, smartphones and tablets or digital machines.
Auditory Processing Disorder: Is a hearing problem that affects about 5% of school-aged children.
Dyscalculia: It refers to a wide range of difficulties with mathematics, including weaknesses in understanding the meaning of numbers, and the difficulty of applying mathematical principles to solve problems.
Learning Disability: It is the reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities that affects someone, for their whole life.
English Language: Is a West Germanic language first spoken in early medieval England which eventually became the leading language of international discourse in today's world.
Teaching With Technology: Broadly, it is the use of various digital media tools integrated with teaching and learning content (e.g., Learning Management Systems-LMS) and/or run more independently over the Internet to enable teaching and learning to take place.
Artificial Intelligence: Is the theory, development, and practical use of computer systems to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as medicine prescription, perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.
Educational Development: Is a sub-discipline of higher education research and practice that supports and enhances the design and development of high-quality student learning experiences.
Dyslexia: Is a language-based learning disability.
Compensatory Teaching: It is program or service designed to help children at risk of cognitive impairment and/or low educational achievement.
Students With Dyslexia: Are students that experience difficulties with other language skills, such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words.
Mathematics: Is the science of structure, order, and relation that has evolved from counting, measuring, and describing of shapes of objects.