Enhancing the Cognitive and Learning Skills of Children with Intellectual Disability through Physical Activity and Edutainment Games

Abstract

This work introduces an edutainment system specifically designed to help children with intellectual disability (ID) in order to allow them to have an enhanced and enjoyable learning process and addresses the need for integrating physical activity into their daily lives. The proposed system consists of a multimedia technology based games with a tangible user interface. The edutainment system was tested on 77 children with different intellectual disabilities (IDs). The mildly disabled groups achieved best results in terms of scores and coordination, but all the observed groups exhibited high motivation levels. The results proved that the system had very positive effects on the children, in terms of cognition and motivational levels, especially as the children became more physically active in the classrooms. Instructors also expressed willingness to incorporate the edutainment system into the classroom on a daily basis, as a complementary tool to conventional learning.

A New Measure to Evaluate Subthreshold Resonance in Neurons

“…A média da carga máxima suportada pelo protótipo foi 3,86Kg, com desvio padrão de 0,22Kg e variância de 0,05Kg². Utilizando o intervalo das massas obtidas no teorema de Chebyshev (3,50Kg a 4,10Kg), constatou-se uma confiabilidade dos resultados de 89,48% (Figura 4). Onde Mx é a média (3,86Kg), Sx é o desvio padrão (0,22Kg) e K é a constante proveniente do teorema de Chebyshev (1,39 para este caso).…”

“…Esses dispositivos podem ser planejados ou adaptados para ajudar pessoas deficientes intelectuais na comunicação diária, na independência, no aprendizado e nas atividades sociais como os jogos, por exemplo. [1,3,12,13,20] O objetivo da Tecnologia Assistivas, quando aplicado na área da educação, é uma estratégia para o aluno realizar o que precisa. Valoriza o seu jeito de fazer e criar novas alternativas para comunicação, mobilidade, interação social, resolução de problemas e brincadeiras.…”

“…Com isso, tem-se dado uma maior atenção ao potencial que a tecnologia assistiva tem em propiciar independência e autonomia para deficientes intelectuais, por meio de jogos educacionais. [1,3,12,13,20] Nesse contexto, os jogos educacionais digitais são considerados como ferramenta de apoio ao aprendizado de Pessoas com Necessidades Educativas Especiais (PNEE).…”

The Instructional Thematic Game for Children with Mild Mental Retardation: For Enhancement of Left-Right Recognition Skill

“…Second, this educational software is able to reach educational goals and is used as a tool educational entertainment. Third, these programs promote independent learning [15]. …”

“…Improving the learning skills for the children with MMR will become one of the solutions to their difficulties. Based on the previous research, how the way to enhance learning skill is by making exercising [15][16][17][18]. Therefore, we propose the framework formed in the assistive technology system to help them increase their learning skill in easy, simple and fun ways.…”