Two professors, sign language researcher Ronnie Wilbur and animator Nicoletta Adamo-Villani, at Purdue University (Indiana, U.S.) are developing computer animation and virtual reality (VR) using motion capture of human signing to teach math/maths to signing Deaf children via American Sign Language.
From Animation World Magazine:
Two Purdue University professors are studying how to use computer animation and virtual reality to teach deaf children in grades K through 4 about mathematics principles, and to communicate math terminology using American Sign Language. The reason for the project is that, for deaf children, reading instruction is delayed; therefore most kids in this age group cannot use traditional textbooks. They also aren’t able to take full advantage of secondary learning opportunities that non-disabled kids have, such as television and dinner table conversation, and their parents may not be fluent enough in sign language to teach them about math.
Project sites (with demos):
- Computer animation: Mathsigner
- VR: Signed Math in an Immersive Learning Environment (SMILE)
The VR of counting money in a toy store and so forth should be useful and fun. However, most deaf children have hearing parents and siblings, who often don’t sign. This can be isolating if the child can’t (or can’t yet) adequately communicate via oral-aural language. I just hope teachers and parents are careful not to take too much time away from interacting with other humans in a natural visual language in order to have limited interaction between the child and animated characters.