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Mobile learning as alternative to assistive technology devices for special needs students

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Abstract

Assistive Technology (AT) revolutionized the process of learning for special needs students during the past three decades. Thanks to this technology, accessibility and educational inclusion became attainable more than any time in the history of special education. Meanwhile, assistive technology devices remain unreachable for a large number of students with disabilities, especially in under-developed and developing countries like Morocco due to a number of factors, especially, availability and affordability. Mobile learning, using smartphones and tablets in particular, may provide alternative solutions as special education tools in such countries. Additionally, open source platforms, particularly Google play store with all the applications it accommodates for disabled people, may obviate the need for monofunctional, sometimes expensive, AT devices. The present paper sets out to investigate potentials of using smartphones and tablets as alternative learning tools for assistive technology devices within formal and informal learning environments. It compares seven free Google Play medical apps with seven assistive technology devices at the level of functionality and affordability. The apps are of relevance to cases of physical as well as mental disabilities, namely hearing impairment, visual impairment, autism and speech articulation disorders.

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Notes

  1. King Mohammed VI. 8 Oct 1999 Royal Opening Speech for House of Deputies, Rabat. Speech.

  2. http://www.assistivetechnologyblog.com/2014/10/uni-device-that-converts-sign-language.html

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Discourse, Creativity and Society: Perception and Implications, Faculty of Arts and Humanities Fes Sais, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, BP 59 Route Immouzer, CP 30000, Fez, Morocco

    Jalal Ismaili & El Houcine Ouazzani Ibrahimi

Authors
  1. Jalal Ismaili
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  2. El Houcine Ouazzani Ibrahimi
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Correspondence to Jalal Ismaili.

Appendix

Appendix

Below are a few examples of textual reviews submitted by special needs people or their kinship:

Petralex Hearing aid (by IT ForYou):

  • I have had hearing issues since the military…a lifesaver when you can’t afford hearing aids. (John O., Dec 13th 2015)

  • I’m 50 years hearing impaired and this app is the best clarity I’ve ever heard in any hearing aid (Bryan H., Dec 13th 2015)

  • I am very hard of hearing. I have used and bought multiple hearing aid apps. This is the first one that actually works… (Heather M., Jul 2nd 2015)

Hearing Aid with Replay (by Lemberg Solutions):

  • Love it. Was really easy to use and satisfying the impaired alike (Anna P., Jan 25th 2015)

  • I am partially deaf but this software has helped me a lot (Subramaniam P., Jun 11th 2014)

  • Best hearing helper I’ve tried. Sometimes I just need to hear things louder (Jim M., Sep 03rd 2014)

The Deaf and Hearing Impaired (by MonCaptain):

  • I am hard of hearing I love to carry this to meeting in audio people. I want to hear what they were saying in conferences(Kong V., Jun 10th 2015)

  • Will help me a great deal at work (Albert I., Mar 08th 2015)

  • Excellent app for the deaf and hearing impaired … I’m deaf … when I see it flashing I could get my message (Abhijeet C., Dec 20th 2014)

Magnifier (by mmapps mobile):

  • This app is simply incredible. IF YOUR EYESIGHT ISN’T PERFECT: please INSTALL THIS ASAP … This is going to (somehow) save a life 1 day. (Jeff A. Mar 29th 2015)

  • For those of you who are visually impaired like me, this app is for you (Brian P., Mar 18th 2015)

  • I have a hard time seeing due to vision loss from diabetes … This app is awesome (Alejandro N. Jan 12th 2015)

  • My dad is going blind and has diabetes, he needs to be able to see enough to read his glucose meter and injections. He asked me to find an electronic magnifying device but they are over 500$! I found this app (free!) … (Barnum A. Dec 10th 2014).

Big Buttons Keyboard Standard (by Chicago Logic Inc.):

  • As a senior with diminished eyesight and stone fingers, the BB Deluxe gets it done for me. (Keith H., Mar 13th 2015)

  • This app has made my life much easier, for sure! With poor eyesight .. life has become a bit brighter (Google user Jan 1st 2014)

  • This app is great for when I’m without my residing glasses (Jenna M., Oct 24th 2013)

TapToTalk (by assistyx llc):

  • Fantastic app. I am a Registered Respiratory Therapist who works closely with Speech Therapists. We specialize in weaning long-term vent supported patients with artificial airways. This is a God send. Thank you.

  • I have intermittent aphasia. This is a God send

  • The free app is pretty cool. Has been useful for my son who has autism

JABtalk (by JABstone):

  • Finally an app that works for my speech challenged son. We have been working with great speech therapists, but certain things haven’t clicked… No joke! Excited at possibilities of this app because of his newfound motivation to talk… (Myumi C., Aug 08th 2015)

  • Absolutely love this app. I have used it to affordable turn two android devices into AAC devices for my nonverbal son… I’m even adding it to my phone so that when my son doesn’t have the other devices available, he can still communicate…(Kim J., Aug 02nd 2014)

  • My son is non verbal 4 years old with Autism and this is amazing to help him communicate with us! (Lisa T. June 10th 2015)

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Ismaili, J., Ibrahimi, E.H.O. Mobile learning as alternative to assistive technology devices for special needs students. Educ Inf Technol 22, 883–899 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-015-9462-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-015-9462-9

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