A Case Study on the Effective Use of Applications in Class for Deaf and Hard-of Hearing Students

Abstract

Recently, the main theme of information support for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students has been real-time speech-to-text systems based on voice recognition during lecture-style classes. In an educational setting, we focus on communication support during practical classes, rather than on information support during lectures. This paper reports on practical attempts to utilize the SwipeTalk user interface in the educational field. Specifically, we report on communication support between DHH students, and between teachers and DHH students during practical drawing classes. These classes were held both online and in the classroom. DHH students communicate in a variety of ways in these classes, including via sign language and oral com-munication using residual hearing. The practical classes using the application enabled smooth communication between deaf students who do not use spoken-language and hard-of-hearing students who cannot use sign-language. Communication activities including drawing letters, illustrations, and symbols were accepted by the DHH students and had positive impacts on their classroom learning.