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

First cycle of user experience on assistive courseware for young low vision (AC4LV) learners

Reviews from literatures indicate that content application such as courseware which is specifically designed to cater the needs of low vision learners in learning is highly scarce. It was found that most of the existing content applications including courseware focus to the needs of normal student, in which most of this courseware mean too little to the low vision learners in terms of information accessibility, navigation-ability, and pleasure aspects. Having developed the intended courseware which is called as AC4LV it has to be tested to the targeted subjects.Thus, this study presents the first cycle of user experience testing related to the subjects’ behaviors and reactions on AC4LV in effort to make it as one of the effective learning tools specifically for low vision children. It is called as user experience I.In user experience I, 8 subjects with the average age nine to 12 were involved. At this stage, observation was utilized as the data collection method

Integrating multimedia learning theory in assistive courseware for low vision learners

This paper reports an ongoing study regarding the development of Assistive Courseware (AC) that is specifically designed to cater the needs of low vision learners in learning activities.Currently, as reported in the previous studies, low vision learners are facing various difficulties in their learning activities particularly in terms of information accessibility, navigationability, and pleasure. Previous literatures also state that, most of the available courseware means too little to them especially in terms of content presentation.Therefore, this study attempts to solve the problem by developing an AC which is named as AC for Low Vision Learners (AC4LV). The AC was developed by utilizing Multimedia Learning Theory as guidance. In addition, three basic steps, which are pre-production, production, and post-production have been utilized in developing the AC.As a result, an AC4LV based on Multimedia Learning Theory was successfully produced. Future works of this study is to test the experience of using AC4LV among the low vision learners particularly on primary school children from age nine to twelve

Technology for visually-impaired: identifying flaws in assistive courseware

Technologies for visual-impaired people have been widely developed, covering hardware and software. In terms of software, the technology is divided into infrastructure and content. Designing appropriate content technology is very important for the visually-impaired people to support their special constraints. Such content technology, which is called assistive courseware for visually-impaired (AC4VI) has to strategize appropriate elements for efficient information accessibility, navigationability, and pleasurability. This study develops such content technology, based on a systematically and scientifically developed model. Having developed the content technology, it was tested with the real subjects, children of Year 1 in visually-impaired curriculum. To accommodate the needs of the children, this study utilizes qualitative approach. Prior to running the actual testing, a pilot test has been conducted to ensure the actual testing could run smoothly. The initial round of the pilot test reveled that there were problems in terms of the feasibility of the prototype and data collection method. Therefore, to overcome the flaws, the second pilot test was carried out. The test was segmented into four section: (i) briefing, (ii) observation, (iii) interview, and (iv) closing. In the end, it was found that such content technology has to be experienced individually. Also, semi-structured interview has to be conducted individually. The AC4VI, as a content technology for visually-impaired is as important as the infrastructure

Critical analysis in proposing a conceptual design model of assistive courseware for low vision (AC4LV) learners

This paper reports on an ongoing study, which intends to propose a conceptual design model of Assistive Courseware(AC) that is particularly designed for low vision learners (LV) learners.Altogether, 15 conceptual design models of courseware were compared and analyzed exhaustively with the main objectives (i) to determine the research gaps in proposing a conceptual design model of AC4LV and (ii) to identify their common components.Through a systematic and critical analysis, this study discovers that all of the previous models do not suggest any specific conceptual design model of courseware that caters the visually-impaired (VI) particularly low vision (LV) learners in detail.It is noted that this is the research gap that should be the focal point for further study.Also, the previous literatures suggest that Instructional Design (ID) model, learning theories, and learning approach must be the basic component in designing the conceptual design model of courseware

Reviews and critiques on learning theories towards proposing a conceptual design model of Assistive Courseware for Low Vision (AC4LV) learners

This article reports an ongoing study that intends to propose a Conceptual Design Model of Assistive Courseware which specifically designed for Low Vision (LV) learners. In developing the intended model, learning theories is a part of component that has to be emphasized.So, prior to the development of that model such applicable learning theories should be reviewed.The main objective of this article is to review and critique the learning theories and their implications to the Conceptual Design Model of AC4LV.Thus, in this article five learning theories were reviewed critically and their implications towards the development of proposed model were also discussed. There is no specific methodology applied in this concept article.The researcher applied the existing knowledge to review and critique the previous learning theories

Integrating Learning Approach in Interactive Assistive Courseware for Young Low Vision (AC4LV) Learners

This paper proposes an interactive assistive courseware for young low vision learners particularly at primary school level. It was reported in the previous literatures that low vision learners face difficulties in their learning activities since they have to utilize the similar learning materials as general students. As a solution, this study proposes an Interactive Assistive Courseware for Young Low Vision (AC4LV) Learners based on four types of learning approaches. These are: (i) Mastery Learning Approach, (ii) Problem-based Learning (iii) Active Learning (iv) and Self-paced Learning. User Centred Design (UCD) Approach has been applied throughout the development of AC4LV as it is important for this study to ensure the proposed courseware meets the user requirements. Findings of this study report the integrated learning approaches in AC4LV

Integrating learning approach in interactive Assistive Courseware for Young Low Vision (AC4LV) learners

This paper proposes an interactive assistive courseware for young low vision learners particularly at primary school level. It was reported in the previous literatures that low vision learners face difficulties in their learning activities since they have to utilize the similar learning materials as general students. As a solution, this study proposes an Interactive Assistive Courseware for Young Low Vision (AC4LV) Learners based on four types of learning approaches. These are: (i) Mastery Learning Approach, (ii) Problem-based Learning (iii) Active Learning (iv) and Self-paced Learning. User Centred Design (UCD) Approach has been applied throughout the development of AC4LV as it is important for this study to ensure the proposed courseware meets the user requirements. Findings of this study report the integrated learning approaches in AC4LV

Expert review on conceptual design model of assistive courseware for low vision (AC4LV) learners

— This paper reports an ongoing project regarding the development of Conceptual Design Model of Assistive Courseware for Low Vision (AC4LV) learners. Having developed the intended model, it has to be validated prior to produce it as guidance for the developers to develop an AC4LV. This study requires two phases of validation process which are through expert review and prototyping method.This paper presents a part of the validation process which is findings from experts review on Conceptual Design Model of AC4LV which has been carried out through questionnaire.Results from 12 international and local experts from various respectable fields in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) were discussed and justified.In a nutshell, reviewed Conceptual Design Model of AC4LV was formed. Future works of this study is to validate the reviewed model through prototyping method prior to test it to the targeted users

The design principles of assistive courseware for low vision (AC4LV) learners

Current phenomenon faced by low vision (LV) learners is that their learning activities are problematic.With the restrictions in their vision, conventional teaching and learning techniques requires them to struggle more compared to their sighted peers.Even though Assistive Technology (AT) provides LV learners with various helpful features but most of them are in the form of hardware or software, which minimally assist the LV learners in accessing the knowledge. Meanwhile, the content applications that are specifically designed for the LV learners are highly scares. This could be seen when most of the existing content applications (i.e. courseware) that available in the market are designed for sighted students.Previous studies indicate that most of the existing courseware means too little or nothing to the LV learners especially for those who are severe.This study presents an ongoing project, with the main objective to develop an electronic learning material that focuses on content design application in an attempt to cater the needs of LV learners in their learning activities called Assistive Courseware for Low Vision Learners (AC4LV).Thus, to achieve the main objectives, this study comes out with two specific objectives which are: (i) to determine the design principles of AC4LV and (ii) to develop a prototype of AC4LV based on the gathered design principles.It is important for this study to gather information from the actual users and teachers as they are the experts in this field. Accordingly, other than document reviewed, User Centered Design (UCD) approach was utilized in gathering the inputs and comments to achieve both of the objectives.The results highlight design principles which are categorized into eight elements of AC4LV.They are justified and labeled in the form of snapshots, presented sequentially in this paper.In a nutshell, this study has achieved both of the objectives.The AC4LV has been designed according to the needs of LV learners. It has to be emphasized that the main objective of this article is to highlight the development of AC4LV and it is also important to stress that the content design of AC4LV has to refer to the determined design principles.This could be as guidance for the developer or anyone who intent to develop AC4LV.The recommended future works is to investigate the user experience of using AC4LV among the LV learners.The target participant would be the LV learners from primary school level aged nine to twelve