scholarly journals Cognitive Accessibility and Support in Special Education

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4871
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Guillomía ◽  
José Ignacio Artigas ◽  
Jorge L. Falcó
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Interaction Design ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Time Orientation ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Cognitive Support ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Special Education School

This work describes an assistive technology development for cognitive support and training to be used by children of special education schools in Spain. Design is based on and guided by cognitive support findings coming from a long-term collaboration of a team of engineers (University of Zaragoza) and special education teachers (Alborada Special Education School, Zaragoza). The description starts by providing a structure of such findings in five cognitive-social areas (interface usability, virtual representations understanding, time orientation, self-awareness, and social interaction). Design requirements are extracted by applying those findings to four support services (home control, time orientation, behavior contention, and context anticipation). Technological system description follows, together with the degree of implementation and testing for each service. A major result is the benefit of using a services interface with the same structure and appearance as the alternative and augmentative communication system that children are already acquainted with. Based on regulatory conditions, the needed flexibility, and reduced available budgets, this support platform is built on mainstream technology and low-cost single-board computers with standard databases and free software packages. Results show evidence of benefit in children’s cognitive and social performance, in addition to offering a technological tool for deeper educational research.

scholarly journals Time Orientation Technologies in Special Education

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 2571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Angel Guillomía ◽  
Jorge Luis Falcó ◽  
José Ignacio Artigas ◽  
Mercedes García-Camino
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Time Orientation ◽  
World Health ◽  
International Classification Of Functioning ◽  
Auditory Information ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Display Time ◽  
Special Education School ◽  
To Come ◽  
Health Organization

A device to train children in time orientation has been designed, developed and evaluated. It is framed within a long-term cooperation action between university and special education school. It uses a specific cognitive accessible time display: Time left in the day is represented by a row of luminous elements initially on. Time passing is represented by turning off sequentially and gradually each luminous element every 15 min. Agenda is displayed relating time to tasks with standard pictograms for further accessibility. Notifications of tasks-to-come both for management support and anticipation to changes uses visual and auditory information. Agenda can be described in an Alternative and Augmentative Communication pictogram language already used by children, supporting individual and class activities on agenda. Validation has been performed with 16 children in 12 classrooms of four special education schools. Methodology for evaluation compares both prior and posterior assessments which are based in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) from the World Health Organization (WHO), together with observation registers. Results show consistent improvement in performances related with time orientation.

Landscape interaction design of special education school based on children's perceptual disturbance

2020 ◽  
pp. 002072092094059
Author(s):  
Bian Xin
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Interaction Design ◽  
Interaction Space ◽  
Landscape Design ◽  
Human Communication ◽  
Special Groups ◽  
The Disabled ◽  
Special Education School ◽  
Free Interaction ◽  
Special Children

With the continuous development of the career of the disabled, special education has become an important part of the development of education in China. Therefore, it is particularly important to meet the needs of special children’s campus construction. However, China is relatively backward, and special education schools lack complete landscape design for special groups. Campus landscape carries many contents including education, leisure, communication and rehabilitation. At present, the landscape design of special education schools lacks the recognition of the particularity of special children, and ignores their demands for normal communication and interaction. Starting from the characteristics of special children, this paper analyses and studies the perceptual characteristics of hearing impaired students and visual impaired students respectively, and applies the concept of “interactive design” to the landscape design of special schools. Interaction design pays attention to the process of human experience, which coincides with the design idea of “people-oriented” emphasized in landscape design. Landscape interaction design is the design of human communication, communication and interaction space, so as to guide the campus landscape environment suitable for the barrier-free interaction of actors, make up for defects, provide safe activities, individualized education and living campus.

scholarly journals Hybrid mosquitoes? Evidence from rural Tanzania on how local communities conceptualize and respond to modified mosquitoes as a tool for malaria control

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marceline F. Finda ◽  
Fredros O. Okumu ◽  
Elihaika Minja ◽  
Rukiyah Njalambaha ◽  
Winfrida Mponzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Control ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Community Leaders ◽  
Community Perceptions ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
High Level ◽  
Interpretive Frames

Abstract Background Different forms of mosquito modifications are being considered as potential high-impact and low-cost tools for future malaria control in Africa. Although still under evaluation, the eventual success of these technologies will require high-level public acceptance. Understanding prevailing community perceptions of mosquito modification is, therefore, crucial for effective design and implementation of these interventions. This study investigated community perceptions regarding genetically-modified mosquitoes (GMMs) and their potential for malaria control in Tanzanian villages where no research or campaign for such technologies has yet been undertaken. Methods A mixed-methods design was used, involving: (i) focus group discussions (FGD) with community leaders to get insights on how they frame and would respond to GMMs, and (ii) structured questionnaires administered to 490 community members to assess awareness, perceptions and support for GMMs for malaria control. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings and thematic content analysis was used to identify key concepts and interpret the findings. Results Nearly all survey respondents were unaware of mosquito modification technologies for malaria control (94.3%), and reported no knowledge of their specific characteristics (97.3%). However, community leaders participating in FGDs offered a set of distinctive interpretive frames to conceptualize interventions relying on GMMs for malaria control. The participants commonly referenced their experiences of cross-breeding for selecting preferred traits in domestic plants and animals. Preferred GMMs attributes included the expected reductions in insecticide use and human labour. Population suppression approaches, requiring as few releases as possible, were favoured. Common concerns included whether the GMMs would look or behave differently than wild mosquitoes, and how the technology would be integrated into current malaria control policies. The participants emphasised the importance and the challenge of educating and engaging communities during the technology development. Conclusions Understanding how communities perceive and interpret novel technologies is crucial to the design and effective implementation of new vector control programmes. This study offers vital clues on how communities with no prior experience of modified mosquitoes might conceptualize or respond to such technologies when deployed in the context of malaria control programmes. Drawing upon existing interpretive frames and locally-resonant analogies when deploying such technologies may provide a basis for more durable public support in the future.

Journal Editor and Associate Editor Perspectives on Research Reproducibility and Open Science

2021 ◽  
pp. 074193252110172
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Maggin
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Special Education ◽  
Journal Editor ◽  
Associate Editor ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Science Practices ◽  
Journal Editors ◽  
Education School ◽  
Special Education School ◽  
Insight Into

Interest in transparent and open science is increasing in special education, school psychology, and related disciplines. Proponents for open science reforms provide evidence that researchers in special education, and the broader social sciences, engage in practices that mitigates its credibility and reduces the validity of information disseminated to practitioners and policymakers. In light of these issues, this article reports on a survey of journal editors-in-chief and associate editors to gain insight into concerns regarding research reproducibility, and the familiarity and viability of open science for improving research credibility. Results indicate that respondents were concerned about research reproducibility, were moderately familiar with open science practices, and viewed many as effective for improving research credibility. Finally, respondents supported the use of journals to encourage open science practices though there was little support for requiring their use. Findings are discussed in relation to open science and implications for research and practice.

A Multimodule Planar Air Bearing Testbed for CubeSat-Scale Spacecraft

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
William R. Wilson ◽  
Laura L. Jones ◽  
Mason A. Peck
Keyword(s):  
Multibody Dynamics ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Air Bearing ◽  
Cost Performance ◽  
Small Satellites ◽  
Ground Testing ◽  
Spacecraft Mission ◽  
Cost Scaling ◽  
Design Cost

In the past several years, small satellites have taken on an increasingly important role as affordable technology demonstrators and are now being viewed as viable low-cost platforms for traditional spacecraft mission objectives. As such, the CubeSat standard (1 kg in a 10 cm cube) has been widely adopted for university-led development efforts even as it is embraced by traditional spacecraft developers, such as NASA. As CubeSats begin to take on roles traditionally filled by much larger spacecraft, the infrastructure for dynamics and controls testing must also transition to accommodate the different size and cost scaling associated with CubeSats. While air-bearing-based testbeds are commonly used to enable a variety of traditional ground testing and development for spacecraft, few existing designs are suitable for development of CubeSat-scale technologies, particularly involving multibody dynamics. This work describes Cornell University's FloatCube testbed, which provides a planar reduced-friction environment for multibody dynamics and controls technology development for spacecraft less than 6 kg and a 15 cm cube. The multimodule testbed consists of four free-floating air-bearing platforms with on-board gas supplies that allow the platforms to float over a glass surface without external attachments. Each of these platforms, or FloatCubes, can host CubeSat-sized payloads at widely ranging levels of development, from prototype components to full-scale systems. The FloatCube testbed has already hosted several successful experiments, proving its ability to provide an affordable reduced-friction environment to CubeSat-scale projects. This paper provides information on the system design, cost, performance, operating procedures, and applications of this unique, and increasingly relevant, testbed.

Space Station Environmental, Thermal Control and Life Support (ETCLS): “Meeting the Evolutionary Growth Challenge”

1984 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-291
Author(s):  
H. F. Brose
Keyword(s):  
Closed Loop ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Thermal Control ◽  
Development Effort ◽  
Program Cost ◽  
Preparedness Plan ◽  
Evolutionary Growth

Renewed interest and planning for a Space Station, probably NASA’s next major space activity, poses a new challenge for ETCLS technology not previously emphasized. Over the past two decades, regenerative life support technology development for Space Station has been underway. This development effort was always aimed at regenerative (closed loop) life support for a full capability Space Station. The level of priority for manned space presence and current budgetary pressures dictate the need for a low cost profile program with an evolutionary growth Space Station. The initial capability may be a small station with a crew of 2 or 3. This station could grow in size and capability by the addition of modules to a station with a crew of 8 to 12 with the possibility of multiple stations in orbit. Depending upon the selected missions, the early station may be best served by an open or only partially closed loop ETCLS whereas the final station may need a completely closed loop ETCLS. The challenge would be to grow in-orbit the ETCLS system capability in a “no-throw-away” fashion in order to minimize annual and total program cost. This paper discusses a possible ETCLS system evolutionary growth scenario, the Space Station architecture variations influencing the ETCLS system design, and a technology preparedness plan for Space Station ETCLS.

AN INNOVATIVE PHYSICS-BASED MODEL OF PEROVSKITE SOLAR CELLS

2020 ◽  
pp. 43-55
Author(s):  
Duc
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cells ◽  
Critical Parameters ◽  
Promising Candidate ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
General Physical ◽  
Solar Cell Technology

Perovskites are increasingly proved to be a promising candidate for making absorber materials for high-efficiency and low-cost next-generation solar cells. There are several models proposed for perovskite solar cells similar to the conventional solar cells; their operation also has specific characteristics and requires the development of a more general physical model to study, thus optimizing the cells and improving the performance of the panels. This paper develops such a physics-based intuitive model to consider the performance of two high-efficiency types of perovskite solar cells, taking into account heterogeneous properties, with filtered transport layers, recombination, charge selection, and voltage-dependent collector. This model would allow experimentally to estimate critical parameters of perovskite solar cells, understand the performance bottleneck, and predict the performance of perovskite solar cells and suggest further study for perovskite solar cell technology development.   

Time Orientation Device for Special Education

2008 ◽  
pp. 158-166
Author(s):  
José M. Falcó ◽  
Álvaro Marco ◽  
Ángel Asensio ◽  
Rubén Blasco ◽  
Roberto Casas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Special Education ◽  
Time Orientation
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