Talk your way round: a speech interface to a virtual museum

Purpose: To explore the development of a speech interface to a Virtual World and to consider its relevance for disabled users. Method: The system was developed using mainly software that is available at minimal cost. How well the system functioned was assessed by measuring the number of times a group of users with a range of voices had to repeat commands in order for them to be successfully recognised. During an initial session, these users were asked to use the system with no instruction to see how easy this was. Results: Most of the spoken commands had to be repeated less than twice on average for successful recognition. For a set of ‘teleportation’ commands this figure was higher (2.4), but it was clear why this was so and could easily be rectified. The system was easy to use without instruction. Comments on the system were generally positive. Conclusions: While the system has some limitations, a Virtual World with a reasonably reliable speech interface has been developed almost entirely from software which is available at minimal cost. Improvements and further testing are considered. Such a system would clearly improve access to Virtual Reality technologies for those without the skills or physical ability to use a standard keyboard and mouse. It is an example of both Assistive Technology and Universal Design

An interface to virtual environments for people who are blind using Wii technology - mental models and navigation

Accessible games, both for serious and for entertainment purposes, would allow inclusion and participation for those with disabilities. Research into the development of accessible games, and accessible virtual environments, is discussed. Research into accessible Virtual Environments has demonstrated great potential for allowing people who are blind to explore new spaces, reducing their reliance on guides, and aiding development of more efficient spatial maps and strategies. Importantly, Lahav and Mioduser (2005, 2008) have demonstrated that, when exploring virtual spaces, people who are blind use more and different strategies than when exploring real physical spaces, and develop relatively accurate spatial representations of them. The present paper describes the design, development and evaluation of a system in which a virtual environment may be explored by people who are blind using Nintendo Wii devices, with auditory and haptic feedback. The nature of the various types of feedback is considered, with the aim of creating an intuitive and usable system. Using Wii technology has many advantages, not least of which are that it is mainstream, readily available and cheap. The potential of the system for exploration and navigation is demonstrated. Results strongly support the possibilities of the system for facilitating and supporting the construction of cognitive maps and spatial strategies. Intelligent support is discussed. Systems such as the present one will facilitate the development of accessible games, and thus enable Universal Design and accessible interactive technology to become more accepted and widespread

The Final Destination, Graduation: Increasing Retention Rates of African American Males Through Student-Faculty Interaction During Study Abroad

Summary: As many predominately White institutions continue to emphasize the importance of diversity and multiculturalism, the recruitment of African American students has increased. However, many institutions struggle with retaining this particular student population to graduation, suggesting that they may require a different type of support to achieve degree completion. Extensive research shows that African American students who participate in leadership or educational enrichment experiences and establish faculty relationships are likely to demonstrate a greater satisfaction with their college experience. Study abroad offers a unique experiential learning environment that allows students to reinforce classroom knowledge, validate their career field, experience broader forms of diversity, and affirm their racial identity (Young, 2008). Study abroad presents an opportunity for students to have a shared experienced with faculty in an intimate group setting, therefore enhancing their overall experience and increasing retention and graduation rates. Objectives: 1. Discuss retention of African American students in higher education 2. Increase awareness surrounding benefits of study abroad to retention of African Americans and encourage faculty and staff to promote study abroad 3. Encourage students to consider studying abroad! Handout: summary of presentation as well as Office of Programs Abroad and SOLD office contact information Discussion questions to engage audience: 1. How can student affairs professionals and faculty members increase the number of students of color who study abroad? 2. What other initiatives can be used to engage students of color and encourage retention

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

Letter from [Robert] Evett to Hubert Creekmore (16 September 1954)

Evett writes from Washington, D.C. on New Republic letterhead to Creekmore in Jackson, Mississippi. Evett asks Creekmore to write an article on the Citizen\u27s Councils, and he states that his only understanding of them comes from a Jackson Clarion-Ledger article. Includes envelope.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/creekmore/1223/thumbnail.jp

Finding the way forward for forensic science in the US:a commentary on the PCAST report

A recent report by the US President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) [1] has made a number of recommendations for the future development of forensic science. Whereas we all agree that there is much need for change, we find that the PCAST report recommendations are founded on serious misunderstandings. We explain the traditional forensic paradigms of match and identification and the more recent foundation of the logical approach to evidence evaluation. This forms the groundwork for exposing many sources of confusion in the PCAST report. We explain how the notion of treating the scientist as a black box and the assignment of evidential weight through error rates is overly restrictive and misconceived. Our own view sees inferential logic, the development of calibrated knowledge and understanding of scientists as the core of the advance of the profession

Proceedings of the 24th annual Central Plains irrigation conference

Presented at Proceedings of the 24th annual Central Plains irrigation conference held on February 21-22 in Colby, Kansas.Includes bibliographical references