Novel Approach for Teaching English Language using Emerging Information and Communication Technologies for Visual Impairment Students

Nowadays, Higher Education Institutions (HEI) need to be more inclusive from the methodological vision appropriate used in the classroom. Visual impairment students (VIS) become a challenge for teachers who look for incorporating different learning environments. This challenge increases when teaching and learning process to VIS is related to the English language; due to the absence of educational didactic resources available at the school and the lack of knowledge of appropriate teaching methodologies and strategies to develop the different language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing that go with the educational process in the acquisition of the English language. In accordance with this problem, this research proposes a novel methodological strategy, based on the usage of meaningful learning with emerging technologies as a main guide for students with visual impairment. Thus, the road map of good practices in the use of this methodology will allow establishing a clear process to achieve students’ active, meaningful and autonomous participation, using the least time in the teaching-learning process of the English language

Anomalous trichromacy : external enhancement of colour signals, individual differences and diagnosis

Anomalous trichromacy is known to conceal a substantial range in perceptual ability, but this is not typically considered in assessments of corrective aids and diagnostic tests. In addition to the diversity caused by genetic polymorphisms, perceptual ability is thought to be influenced by little understood postreceptoral mechanisms, adding to the need for research focusing on this population. A modelling and behavioural investigation establishes the effectiveness of EnChroma filters in enhancing anomalous colour vision. Paper 1 (not yet published) employs a physiologically accurate model of colour vision to estimate the enhancements in cone-opponent signals conferred by the filters. Paper 2 (not yet published) presents behavioural validation of the model’s predictions, showing that notch filters can result in enhanced perceived saturation for deuteranomalous observers, with effects for suprathreshold perception and partial effects at absolute threshold. Paper 3 (submitted for publication) uses the physiologically accurate model of colour vision to investigate the impact of variation in edition and lighting conditions on the effectiveness of the Ishihara plates test in identifying those with mild anomalous trichromacy. The model predicts a significant impact of plate and illuminant, but no influence of edition, which is supported by the findings of a behavioural investigation. This thesis provides the first direct evidence that altering the input to the visual system using filter-based aids can impact the cone-opponent signals available to anomalous trichromats, and that this change in signal is useable by the visual system, resulting in changes to perceived saturatio