An alternative approach to strengthening tactile memory for sensory disabled people

Abstract

Deaf and hearing-impaired people need special educational and developmental tools to support their social inclusion. Research in vibro-tactile pattern perception has shown that tactile memory could be a crucial aspect in coding and imaging semantic information for users with sensory limitations. This paper describes a simple matching game designed to facilitate the learning process of 27 vibro-tactile composite patterns (tactons) which can be produced with the Logitech tactile feedback mouse. The underlying assumption was that a particular framework and game intrigue would induce a player to mobilize the perceptive skills and deploy individual playing tactics to recall the tactons when progressing through the game. The performance of ten subjects using soundproof headphones was investigated in terms of the number of repetitions required to memorize and learn the mono-frequency, bi-frequency and three-frequency tactons, and in terms of the selection time needed to match the tactons in the game script. The analysis of the data collected indicated that the noviceto-expert transition was significantly above chance when the results obtained in the first and the last test sessions were statistically analyzed and compared. There was also a significant difference between mean selection times needed to match the composite patterns depending of their complexity in the first and the last test sessions. Upon learning and training within game, the tactons may be employed to assign alphabet characters or symbols to communicate textual or symbolic information.

Developing an Extension to an Existing Tactile Authentication Mechanism to Support Non-Visual Interaction

“…Tactile interfaces have been designed to support blind users when interacting with graphical interfaces, by enabling users to 'visualize' information through their sense of touch. Research also suggests that tactile stimuli are known to be memorable over both short and long periods [11,17], providing a discrete means of presenting information to the user. In this paper, we examine the feasibility of tactile stimuli presented within a timed sequence, to support the non-visual authentication process.…”

Enhancing Learning through an Online Secondary School Educational Game

“…Several recent studies show that games have positive influences on learning, particularly on the structuring of knowledge (Evreinova et al, 2006;Lennon & Coombs, 2006;Shaftel et al, 2005).…”

“…Studies have shown that games (computer, video, serious, classic) reinforce or improve the structuring of knowledge. Some studies conclude that games have positive results on the "structuring of knowledge" (e.g., Evreinova et al, 2006;Lennon & Coombs, 2006;Lieberman, 1998Lieberman, , 2001Mondozzi & Harper, 2001;Rosas, Nussbaum, Cumsille, Marianov, Correa, Flores, et al, 2003). They mention specifically that the participation of the learner in the game improves or reinforces their knowledge of the subject matter at hand.…”

Developing and Evaluating a Non-Visual Memory Game

“…Using a range of tactile rendering techniques, the researchers created a set of discernable effects, which the user can explore using his/her sense of touch, to locate matching stimuli. Evreinova et al [6] developed a memory game targeted to the needs of deaf and hard of hearing users, where participants explore vibrotactile patterns using the Logitech IFeel mouse [14]. The parameters of frequency and duration were modified to develop the set of effects for the game.…”