COURSEWARE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN'

'Courseware for Visually Impaired Children' is developed to help the blinds for their education learning process. This courseware is focusing for children from 7-10 years old. The objective is to develop a courseware that satisfies MAB (Malaysian Association for the Blind) to assist requirements blind children in their learning education. This courseware is developed because there is lack of teaching materials and experts to assist blind children in their education. Currently, teachings are based on communication between the teacher and the blind children. The problem with the current learning materials is there is no electronic media being used to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of teaching methods. This courseware will enable theblind children to have their chance in using computer and learn how to read word, learn alphabetical, typing and memorizing numbers. They are exposed to new software that needs them to navigate this software using computer by using only keystroke and no mouse pointing. Based on interview, this courseware is useful for MAB in enhancing their ability and efficiency in delivering learning to blind children. The methodology selected for this courseware are based on five phases that are; project planning, system analysis, system design, coding and testing and project presentation. The expected output for this courseware will be the implementations of a real computerize system that can be used by the teachers to assist the blind children in their education

COURSEWARE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN'

'Courseware for Visually Impaired Children' is developed to help the blinds for their education learning process. This courseware is focusing for children from 7-10 years old. The objective is to develop a courseware that satisfies MAB (Malaysian Association for the Blind) to assist requirements blind children in their learning education. This courseware is developed because there is lack of teaching materials and experts to assist blind children in their education. Currently, teachings are based on communication between the teacher and the blind children. The problem with the current learning materials is there is no electronic media being used to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of teaching methods. This courseware will enable theblind children to have their chance in using computer and learn how to read word, learn alphabetical, typing and memorizing numbers. They are exposed to new software that needs them to navigate this software using computer by using only keystroke and no mouse pointing. Based on interview, this courseware is useful for MAB in enhancing their ability and efficiency in delivering learning to blind children. The methodology selected for this courseware are based on five phases that are; project planning, system analysis, system design, coding and testing and project presentation. The expected output for this courseware will be the implementations of a real computerize system that can be used by the teachers to assist the blind children in their education

Hardware-based text-to-braille translation

Braille, as a special written method of communication for the blind, has been globally accepted for years. It gives blind people another chance to learn and communicate more efficiently with the rest of the world. It also makes possible the translation of printed languages into a written language which is recognisable for blind people. Recently, Braille is experiencing a decreasing popularity due to the use of alternative technologies, like speech synthesis. However, as a form of literacy, Braille is still playing a significant role in the education of people with visual impairments. With the development of electronic technology, Braille turned out to be well suited to computer-aided production because of its coded forms. Software based text-to-Braille translation has been proved to be a successful solution in Assistive Technology (AT). However, the feasibility and advantages of the algorithm reconfiguration based on hardware implementation have rarely been substantially discussed. A hardware-based translation system with algorithm reconfiguration is able to supply greater throughput than a software-based system. Further, it is also expected as a single component integrated in a multi-functional Braille system on a chip.Therefore, this thesis presents the development of a system for text-to-Braille translation implemented in hardware. Differing from most commercial methods, this translator is able to carry out the translation in hardware instead of using software. To find a particular translation algorithm which is suitable for a hardware-based solution, the history of, and previous contributions to Braille translation are introduced and discussed. It is concluded that Markov systems, a formal language theory, were highly suitable for application to hardware based Braille translation. Furthermore, the text-to-Braille algorithm is reconfigured to achieve parallel processing to accelerate the translation speed. Characteristics and advantages of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and application of Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) are introduced to explain how the translating algorithm can be transformed to hardware. Using a Xilinx hardware development platform, the algorithm for text-to-Braille translation is implemented and the structure of the translator is described hierarchically

A basic web-based distance education model

Thesis (Master)--Izmir Institute of Technology, Computer Engineering, Izmir, 2005Includes bibliographical references (leaves: 147)Text in English; Abstract: Turkish and Englishxv, 201 leavesDuring the recent years, the rapid growth of the Web and multimedia technologies urged a shift of Computer-Based Educational Technology towards the Web. In the leading universities of the developed countries, studies on Web-Based Education have started and in an increasing manner are going strong. In the last few years, the leading universities of Turkey are also greatly interested in Web-Based Education and have started their re-structuring accordingly.The goal of this study is to design a basic model to be utilized by a university aiming to offer web-based distance education. In achieving this; by the use of system approach, a model comprising of three subsystems, namely system analysis, system design and evaluation&control, working in coordination with each other, has been tried to be proposed. There may be only one missing point of this study, that is; since preparing a lesson or program according to this model was not foreseen in this thesis, the effectiveness evaluations suggested in the evaluation&control subsystem could not be realized. It is recommended to realize such an evaluation in a further study to make it possible to reveal the effectiveness of web-based education by preparing a lesson or program according to this model.On the other hand, a survey has been conducted in Turkey in some of the universities either offering web-based education or are interested in studies in this field.The aim of this survey is to analyze from system design point of view the studies carried out in our universities on this matter and to get a picture of the existing situation.The directed questions aiming this were prepared by taking into consideration of the three stages of system design subsystem, i.e. administrative design, educational design, and technological design. It is intended for the result of this survey to shed light to the new-coming institutions in this field. As a matter of fact, each stage of this subsystem is a survey item itself and should be researched one by one in other studies.Furthermore, for individuals interested in distance education and web-based distance education and for people newly involved in this matter, this thesis is intended to be a reference material and to serve this purpose the sections are prepared containing the basic information accordingly. Nevertheless, since most of the information regarding system design are prepared without taking into consideration the disabled people, the relevant information are not complete. In another study, the offering of the web-based education to the disabled people, especially for deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, and blind students, has to be investigated.Finally, in this thesis the proposed model for the Web-Based Distance Education, as being a basic and conceptual model, has a flexible structure; i.e., suitable for all the institutions and establishments intending to offer the web-based education.What is important here, is to exploit the potential sources within the institution that will display the required systematic approach

Designing and Evaluating Accessible E-Learning for Students with Visual Impairments in K-12 Computing Education

This dissertation explores the pathways for making K-12 computing education more accessible for blind or visually impaired (BVI) learners. As computer science (CS) expands into K-12 education, more concerted efforts are required to ensure all students have equitable access to opportunities to pursue a career in computing. To determine their viability with BVI learners, I conducted three studies to assess current accessibility in CS curricula, materials, and learning environments. Study one was interviews with visually impaired developers; study two was interviews with K-12 teachers of visually impaired students; study three was a remote observation within a computer science course. My exploration revealed that most of CS education lacks the necessary accommodations for BVI students to learn at an equitable pace with sighted students. However, electronic learning (e-learning) was a theme that showed to provide the most accessible learning experience for BVI students, although even there, usability and accessibility challenges were present in online learning platforms. My dissertation engaged in a human-centered approach across three studies towards designing, developing, and evaluating an online learning management system (LMS) with the critical design elements to improve navigation and interaction with BVI users. Study one was a survey exploring the perception of readiness for taking online courses between sighted and visually impaired students. The findings from the survey fueled study two, which employed participatory design with storytelling with K-12 teachers and BVI students to learn more about their experiences using LMSs and how they imagine such systems to be more accessible. The findings led to developing the accessible learning content management system (ALCMS), a web-based platform for managing courses, course content, and course roster, evaluated in study three with high school students, both sighted and visually impaired, to determine its usability and accessibility. This research contributes with recommendations for including features and design elements to improve accessibility in existing LMSs and building new ones

Iowa Department for the Blind Performance Report, FY 2006

Agency Performance Repor

Using Wii technology to explore real spaces via virtual environments for people who are blind

Purpose - Virtual environments (VEs) that represent real spaces (RSs) give people who are blind the opportunity to build a cognitive map in advance that they will be able to use when arriving at the RS. Design - In this research study Nintendo Wii based technology was used for exploring VEs via the Wiici application. The Wiimote allows the user to interact with VEs by simulating walking and scanning the space. Finding - By getting haptic and auditory feedback the user learned to explore new spaces. We examined the participants' abilities to explore new simple and complex places, construct a cognitive map, and perform orientation tasks in the RS. Originality – To our knowledge, this finding presents the first virtual environment for people who are blind that allow the participants to scan the environment and by this to construct map model spatial representations

APLIKASI SISTEM INFORMASI PENDIDIKAN DAN PELATIHAN TUNA NETRA DI YAYASAN PENYANTUN WIYATA GUNA BERBASIS WEB (Studi Kasus di Latihan Kerja Pertanian Tuna Netra Yayasan Penyantun Wiyata Guna Bandung) APPLICATION INFORMATION SYSTEM OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

ABSTRAKSI: Pada Proyek akhir ini akan dibuat aplikasi perangkat lunak sistem informasi Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Tuna Netra di Yayasan Penyantun Wiyata Guna berbasis web. Sistem ini dibuat untuk menangani pendidikan dan pelatihan untuk tuna netra di Yayasan yang masih berjalan manual. Selain itu dengan adanya tuntutan bagi Yayasan Penyantun Wiyata Guna untuk memanfaatkan teknologi internet agar dapat memberikan informasi lebih luas.Pada sistem lama yang masih manual yayasan sulit mengelola data, kurang dalam publikasi, pihak yang berkaitan seperti wali siswa dan pembimbing dan instruktur sulit untuk mendapatkan informasi tentang yayasan khususnya tentang siswa. Selain itu pendaftaran juga masih manual.Oleh karena itu pada sistem baru yang berbasis komputer diharapkan sistem dapat mengelola data, meningkatkan publikasi, dapat memberikan informasi yang lebih akurat kepada wali siswa dan pembimbing dan instruktur tentang yayasan khususnya tentang siswa. Dan mampu melakukan pendaftaran secara online.Dengan adanya sistem yang baru ini yayasan dapat terbantu dalam mengelola pendidikan dan pelatihan untuk tuna netra sehingga meningkatkan pendidikan dan keterampilan tuna netra dan mereka mampu mandiri tanpa bergantung kepada orang lain serta mempunyai kwalitas hidup yang lebih baik.Metodologi pembuatan aplikasi berbasis web menggunakan model waterfall yang disebut juga classic life cycle atau model linear sequential. Pendekatan sequential dimulai dari level sistem kemudian analisa, desain, coding, testing dan maintanence.Kata Kunci : ABSTRACT: In this final project, will be designed an application information system’s software of education and training for the blinds at Wiyata Guna foundation which is based on web.This system is made to overcame education and training for the blind in Penyantun Wiyata Guna Foundation which still used manual system Beside by seeing the demand for foundation, to use internet technology to give further information.In the old system which still used manual system the foundation has difficulty to make data processing, less in publication. In this case parent of the blind and instructor couldn’t get some information easily especially about the student.Refer to this new system which based on computer technology, hopely, this system could process data, involve publication and could give parents student and instructor about the student. And it could make a registration an line.This appearence of this new sistem the foundation get a supported aim to manage the education and training for the blind, so that it could develop the education and the skill of life of the blind. Finaly they have aindependence life and have a better future.Method of making application which is based on web, using a model of waterfall, it is mentioned also classic life cycle or model linear sequential. The sequential approach is begin from level system to analysis, design, coding, testing and maintenance.Keyword

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION SYSTEM OF VILLAGES IN WONOSOBO REGENCY

Basic track problems in most of the villages in Wonosobo Regency Government are the recruitment and selection practices of other villages have not been able to encourage the inception of the village with the required standards of competence. This research aims to analyze the system of recruitment and selection of other villages, supporters and restricting factors, as well as establishing a proper and contextual model in Wonosobo Regency over the approach to the management of human resources. With descriptive method, this study found that the standard of competence has not been a consideration for the Government since the beginning of the planning process, to recruitment and selection. Almost the entire selection process, starting from the determination of the criteria of candidates, selection of administration until the written exams tend not based on competence. In addition, the necessary of the village according to the preference of the villagers also has yet to be fulfilled, thus still encountered complaints from the public. The study also identifies some of the factors supporting the recruitment and selection competency-based, among others, regulation and community support. Later, inhibitor factor, among others, the quality of human resources and organizational needs analysis Committee. Based on these conditions, the model recommendations in this study encourages the process of recruitment and selection apply competency — based in practice, in order to be able to support organizational performance towards the village government is better. Start the process of sourcing, attracting, through screening, based on the needs the competence and analyzed scientifically. Community preference is also a consideration in that process in order to involve the public opinion and build public confidence to the results of the selection. These two factors also continue to support are encouraged to be optimal. Meanwhile, an inhibitor of factor continues to be minimized through a variety of innovations

Feeling what you hear: tactile feedback for navigation of audio graphs

Access to digitally stored numerical data is currently very limited for sight impaired people. Graphs and visualizations are often used to analyze relationships between numerical data, but the current methods of accessing them are highly visually mediated. Representing data using audio feedback is a common method of making data more accessible, but methods of navigating and accessing the data are often serial in nature and laborious. Tactile or haptic displays could be used to provide additional feedback to support a point-and-click type interaction for the visually impaired. A requirements capture conducted with sight impaired computer users produced a review of current accessibility technologies, and guidelines were extracted for using tactile feedback to aid navigation. The results of a qualitative evaluation with a prototype interface are also presented. Providing an absolute position input device and tactile feedback allowed the users to explore the graph using tactile and proprioceptive cues in a manner analogous to point-and-click techniques