In this case study, specialist in Down syndrome, creates a set of online tools to help individuals with Down syndrome learn and practice the basic skills required to use the internet. The individuals understand the educational benefits and entertainment provided by the internet. Web Fun Central is the software created by usability consultants especially for individuals with Down syndrome.
About Down syndrome
A person with chromosomal abnormality is said to have Down syndrome. Children with Down syndrome expected to survive to age nine. Due to advances in medical technology and with discovery of antibiotics, the average survival rate increased up to age 19 or 20. But today, more than 80% of people with Down syndrome reach age 55, due to advances
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When people with Dow syndrome leave high school and enter adulthood they are likely to experience increased isolation. They tend to lose some of their reading, writing and communication skills. In order to maintain their reading and writing skills, the tool provides a mean for them to learn how to use the internet for communication and entertainment. The tool also provides game segments for the user to practice the skills learned. The tool can also be used by general public who are all willing to learn internet skills. It is specifically designed for young adults with Down syndrome at the age group of 14-20.
Development of Web Fun Central
Phase One- Research
1. Take a survey of most recent related research in this particular area.
2. People with Down syndrome are visual learners; it is not suitable to develop learning modules with increased connectivity and accessibility for this community.
3. Issues of usability faced by general population can also be applied for Down syndrome community.
4. Identify the specific learning style of people with Down syndrome.
5. Find out the teaching methodologies and process that had proved
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The session test visual learning techniques and find out how specific internet concepts can be taught and practiced by testing mini learning modules. Observe the participants attitude towards current technology, and test their ability to move through the modules. By engaging users in unstructured activities, games, developer can easily find out the general interest and their familiarity with the internet.
Usability testing session involve participants with Down syndrome. Participants are treated as a integral member of design team and they help the team to create best online learning tools. Experts give general instructions to the group. There is one observer for each participant, and their activities are documented by observer. For later review and analysis, most of the user’s action are tracked and saved to database. Entire testing session videotaped at two separate angles: one angle capture the movement of participant hand and mouse, the other angle capture the face and emotional state of the participant.
Test