WhatSurdo: A Strategy to Simulate the Real Communicational World in Low Income Schools

Abstract

WhatSurdo is a didactical material for stimulating writing and reading by simulating cell phone interaction in a dynamic way. It involves a 2D-representation of an instant messaging application, WhatsApp, simulating the reality of those who use it to communicate. Due to this stimulation that allows the students active participation in a practical (typing/writing adding figures/making draws) and theoretical (Language grammar) learning perspectives, it permits not only repetition but also thinking, feedback and assessment. This technology simulation was tested with four deaf students to evaluate its inclusive and stimulatory features. Whatsurdo has potential to help teachers to teach language to kids at different ages, including those with special needs and particularly those of low income schools and/or without contact with this kind of technology.

Technology support for the inclusion of deaf students in mainstream schools: a summary of research from 2007 to 2017

“…Mobile applications appear to be widely used with mainstreamed DHH students in the last decade, as illustrated in Table 2. Most of these studies sought to support DHH students in learning the sign language, targeting the improvement of communication between DHH students and their parents and teachers [1,7,13,17,22,24,29]. A number of applications were designed to present vocabulary or phrases in sign language, helping students to develop spelling and literacy skills.…”

“…The application was tested with four DHH students. The authors argued that Whatsurdo supported teachers who taught language to DHH students of different ages [22]. Second, Iglesias et al demonstrated a method of inclusive education using a speech-to-text captioning technology.…”