Inclusive Intelligent Learning Management System Framework - Application of Data Science in Inclusive Education

Dissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Data Science and Advanced Analytics, specialization in Data ScienceBeing a disabled student the author faced higher education with a handicap which as experience studying during COVID 19 confinement periods matched the findings in recent research about the importance of digital accessibility through more e-learning intensive academic experiences. Narrative and systematic literature reviews enabled providing context in World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, legal and standards framework and information technology and communication state-of-the art. Assessing Portuguese higher education institutions’ web sites alerted to the fact that only outlying institutions implemented near perfect, accessibility-wise, websites. Therefore a gap was identified in how accessible the Portuguese higher education websites are, the needs of all students, including those with disabilities, and even the accessibility minimum legal requirements for digital products and the services provided by public or publicly funded organizations. Having identified a problem in society and exploring the scientific base of knowledge for context and state of the art was a first stage in the Design Science Research methodology, to which followed development and validation cycles of an Inclusive Intelligent Learning Management System Framework. The framework blends various Data Science study fields contributions with accessibility guidelines compliant interface design and content upload accessibility compliance assessment. Validation was provided by a focus group whose inputs were considered for the version presented in this dissertation. Not being the purpose of the research to deliver a complete implementation of the framework and lacking consistent data to put all the modules interacting with each other, the most relevant modules were tested with open data as proof of concept. The rigor cycle of DSR started with the inclusion of the previous thesis on Atlântica University Institute Scientific Repository and is to be completed with the publication of this thesis and the already started PhD’s findings in relevant journals and conferences

Multi-Purpose NLP Chatbot : Design, Methodology & Conclusion

With a major focus on its history, difficulties, and promise, this research paper provides a thorough analysis of the chatbot technology environment as it exists today. It provides a very flexible chatbot system that makes use of reinforcement learning strategies to improve user interactions and conversational experiences. Additionally, this system makes use of sentiment analysis and natural language processing to determine user moods. The chatbot is a valuable tool across many fields thanks to its amazing characteristics, which include voice-to-voice conversation, multilingual support [12], advising skills, offline functioning, and quick help features. The complexity of chatbot technology development is also explored in this study, along with the causes that have propelled these developments and their far-reaching effects on a range of sectors. According to the study, three crucial elements are crucial: 1) Even without explicit profile information, the chatbot system is built to adeptly understand unique consumer preferences and fluctuating satisfaction levels. With the use of this capacity, user interactions are made to meet their wants and preferences. 2) Using a complex method that interlaces Multiview voice chat information, the chatbot may precisely simulate users' actual experiences. This aids in developing more genuine and interesting discussions. 3) The study presents an original method for improving the black-box deep learning models' capacity for prediction. This improvement is made possible by introducing dynamic satisfaction measurements that are theory-driven, which leads to more precise forecasts of consumer reaction.Comment: Multilingual , Voice Conversion , Emotion Recognition , Offline Service , Financial Advisor , Product Preference , Customer Reaction Predictio

Conceptual design and development model of assistive courseware for young low vision learners (AC4LV)

The focus of this study relates to technology (hardware and software) that is purposely designed for people with disabilities (PWDs), which is called Assistive Technology (AT). Previous findings reveal that studies related to educational content in courseware is highly lacking, particularly for low vision learners. Also, many existing conceptual design models of courseware lack of specific requirements and empirical evidences to cater the needs of low vision learners. Preliminary studies have proven that available content applications fail to cater the needs of low vision learners in terms of information accessibility, navigationability, and pleasurability. Hence, this study proposes a conceptual design model of courseware for low vision learners, named as Assistive Courseware for Low Vision (AC4LV). Four (4) specific objectives are formulated. The Design Science Research Methodology has been adopted. Eight (8) components of Conceptual Design Model of AC4LV have been constructed and integrated: structural, content composition, AC4LV element, learning theories, learning approaches, development process, instructional design model, and technology. The proposed model has been reviewed by 12 experts and validated through prototyping. It was found that the proposed model has been well-accepted by local and international experts. Prototyping has implicated that the model is useful to follow by novice and non-technical developers. On top of that, the findings of user experience testing indicate that the AC4LV is able to fulfill the needs of the low vision learners in terms of information accessibility, navigationability, and pleasurability. All these findings demonstrate that the Conceptual Design Model of AC4LV exhibits useful development for content application as well as providing theoretical and practical contributions of the study.This study provides guidelines for developing educational content in courseware that caters the need of low vision learners so that this particular group of PWDs may gain equal opportunities of learning

Inclusive Intelligent Learning Management System Framework

Machado, D. S-M., & Santos, V. (2023). Inclusive Intelligent Learning Management System Framework. International Journal of Automation and Smart Technology, 13(1), [2423]. https://doi.org/10.5875/ausmt.v13i1.2423The article finds context and the current state of the art in a systematic literature review on intelligent systems employing PRISMA Methodology which is complemented with narrative literature review on disabilities, digital accessibility and legal and standards context. The main conclusion from this review was the existing gap between the available knowledge, standards, and law and what is put into practice in higher education institutions in Portugal. Design Science Research Methodology was applied to output an Inclusive Intelligent Learning Management System Framework aiming to help higher education professors to share accessible pedagogic content and deliver on-line and presential classes with a high level of accessibility for students with different types of disabilities, assessing the uploaded content with Web content Accessibility Guidelines 3.0, clustering students according to their profile, conscient feedback and emotional assessment during content consumption, applying predictive models and signaling students at risk of failing classes according to study habits and finally applying a recommender system. The framework was validated by a focus group to which experts in digital accessibility, information systems and a disabled PhD graduate.publishersversionpublishe

Users' performance of accessible sound-only computer games

This work is conducted at two levels to meet the requirements of this research. The first objective is to develop a better understanding of how to design better sound-only games for a wide range of users. A new theoretical framework has been crafted to achieve this objective (Human Understanding Theory of Novel Games with Simplex, or the HUNGS theory). Such a theory aims to capture the current consensus about user requirements (as far as it is possible to do so) whilst understanding the principles and practices of interactive systems, namely the design of accessible sound-only games. The second objective is to understand better the psychology of intended users of such games. The importance of the present work is to test psychological concepts in the very different and very popular context of computer games. Implications found for users at work or working on serious tasks may not generalize to game players. To achieve the second requirement, a number of existing games were explored before a new game was designed (namely the Totally Lost game), using a range of methods. The Totally Lost game and different versions of the same game have been designed and evaluated based on user experiences

Human-Computer Interaction: Enhancing User Experience in Interactive Systems

Enhancing user experience (UX) in interactive systems requires effective human-computer interaction (HCI). The relationship between people and computers has grown in significance as technology progresses, having an impact on many areas of our life. The main ideas and tactics used in HCI to enhance the user experience in interactive systems are examined in this abstract. Understanding the capabilities and constraints of both humans and computers forms the basis of HCI. HCI researchers and designers may develop interactive systems that complement users' mental models and cognitive processes by researching human behavior, cognition, and psychology. Additionally, taking into account the features of the computer system, such as its responsiveness, processing capacity, and interface design, enables the development of systems that are more user-friendly and effective. As a result, the discipline of human-computer interaction works to improve the user experience in interactive systems. Researchers and designers in the field of human-computer interaction (HCI) can produce interactive systems that are simple, effective, entertaining, and satisfying for users by comprehending human capabilities, applying user-centered design principles, utilizing interactive techniques and interfaces, integrating multimodal interfaces, and embracing emerging technologies. The continued development of HCI will continue to influence and enhance how people use computers, enhancing user experiences and creating new opportunities for interactive systems in the future

AMCIS 2002 Panels and Workshops I: Human-Computer Interaction Research in the MIS Discipline

Human Computer Interaction (HCI)or Human Factors studies in MIS are concerned with the ways humans interact with information, technologies, and tasks, especially in business, managerial, organizational, and cultural contexts. This article describes the existence and importance of HCI research in the MIS discipline, its historical development, some of its characteristics, publication opportunities, and future research directions. It is believed that HCI is the subject of a strong research stream in MIS, and will continue to be strong in the foreseeable future. It is hoped that HCI studies can provide the evolution of the human centered technology development that enhances our work/job, our various needs, our organizations, our societies, and ourselves