1 research outputs found
Auditory and haptic feedback to train basic mathematical skills of children with visual impairments
Physical manipulatives, such as rods or tiles, are widely used for mathematics learning, as they
support embodied cognition, enable the execution of epistemic actions, and foster conceptual
metaphors. Counting them, children explore, rearrange, and reinterpret the environment
through the haptic channel. Vision generally complements physical actions, which makes using
traditional manipulatives limited for children with visual impairments (VIs). Digitally augmenting
manipulatives with feedback through alternative modalities might improve them. We
specifically discuss conveying number representations to children with VIs using haptic and
auditory channels within an environment encouraging exploration and supporting active touch
counting strategies while promoting reflection. This paper presents LETSMath, a tangible system
for training basic mathematical skills of children with VIs, developed through Design-Based
Research with three iterations in which we involved 19 children with VIs and their educators.
We discuss how the system may support training skills in the composition of numbers and the
impact that the different system features have on slowing down the interaction pace to trigger
reflection, in understanding, and in incorporation.Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Spain) through MIREGAMIS: 2018 LLAV 00009Agencia Nacional de Investigaci贸n e Innovaci贸n - ANIIFundaci贸n CeibalCentro Interdisciplinario en Cognici贸n para la Ense帽anza y el Aprendizaje - CICEA, Universidad de la Rep煤blicaUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (Spain) through Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities IJCI-2017-32162LASIGE Research Unit (Portugal) through FCT project mIDR (AAC02/SAICT/-2017, project 30347, cofunded by COMPETE/FEDER/FNR), the LASIGE Research Unit, ref. UIDB/00408/2020 and ref. UIDP/00408/2020