Pupil

A diagnostic and practice adaptive-remedial system for the treatment of writing mistakes by visually impaired children. (with Mioduser D.)
Knowledge Technology Lab, Tel-Aviv University, 1995

Abstract

The process of correct spelling is a complex one, requiring the involvement of multi sensory. Research dealing with correct spelling skills, suggest that auditory and visual senses, are of great importance in acquiring these skills. With regard to low vision children, deficits in different information areas developed due to the abnormality in the visual channel.
One of the areas influenced by the abnormal visual channel is that of correct spelling process. The incorrect spelling of the word by low vision children, may be influenced by different factors:
(a) Difficulties in gaining visual information, which influence the process of short and long range memory.
(b) The spoken language is acquired through the imitation of pronunciation.
(c) In the reading process, low vision children learn to "complete" according to what it seen. the same process occurs while writing in which the children complete to write the word by using the auditory channel.
(d) Writing is a complex process involving several actions which occur at the same time - the technical writing, the correct spelling, and the thought processes relating to the content of the text.

These factors are due to the difficulties in the visual channel. There is the a need to develop a system that will focus on the following:
(a) The use of an alternative channel which compensates for the abnormal visual channel.
(b) The development of perceptual and conceptual instruction tools, that are established in one of the alternative channels.
(c) The development of individual learning environments that are adjusted to the student's needs.
(d) The development of instruction tools that are based on available technology, which is flexible and comfortable to use.

The aims of this research are:
1. The investigation and mapping of the spelling mistakes of low vision children. During this development process a pilot study will be implemented , which will be a basis for a prototype version of the "Pupil" system.
2. The planning and development of a computerized system that will be a diagnostic and supportive tool for the spelling process. The "Pupil" system was developed as an adaptive system, which addresses individual needs in visual area and in the spelling process.
3. The evaluation of the "Pupil" system, in practice with low vision children. which was conducted as qualitative and quantitative evaluation.

The interface

Hello...	Name...
ID	Select Sound
Select Letter size	Select Background color
Select letter color	User Tools
	Teacher Interface

Development and research

Two low vision children took part in the first evaluation of the system -
H., is a student in the eighth grade, and O. is a student in the fifth grade. A Pre-test was conducted and it's results influenced the type of practice given to students. This practice consisted of 30 exercises. In the end a Post-test identical to the Pre-test was conducted.

This pilot study, was executed by two evaluation methodologies - qualitative evaluation (observation and interview) and quantitative evaluation (the student log ,collected by the system).

The conclusions :
(a) There is a need for a remedial writing program, for low vision children.
(b) It is necessary to adapt the visual channel, to the individual in order for the learning process to be efficient and to be independent functioning within the system.
(c) The auditory constituent has a very important role in the process of correct spelling, and to the functioning of the student.
(d) There is a need for individual learning environments that are adjusted to the student's needs.
(e) The remedial writing me is a long process, hence the practice should be according to the student's knowledge.

Implications of the development and the research :
(a) This prototype of "Pupil" system, will be the basis for the extension of the system for all the other types of mistakes.
(b) This research will assist in the development of a tutor model which will be adaptated to the issue, the learning process and the needs of the student.
(c) The "Pupil" system can be used as a model to other development systems which deal in specific issues for special education, such as systems that include knowladge information and teaching processes that are adapted to the needs of children in the special education.