Using tangible user interfaces in computer-based training systems for low-functioning autistic children

In this paper, the design of a computer-based training (CBT) system for low-functioning autistic children is addressed. The emphasis is on ease-of-use and learning efficiency of CBT systems with different interaction styles, namely the WIMP (Window Icon Menu Pointing Device) and TUI (Tangible User Interface) interaction styles. Two WIMP-based CBT systems with different pointing devices were involved in the study. The first system applied a standard computer mouse as a pointing device, while the second one employed a touch screen instead. For the TUI-based CBT system, a tabletop setting was adopted. Based on the known characteristics of TUI and children with autism, as well as related cognitive and learning theories, the benefits of TUI for low-functioning autistic children have been investigated. Elementary skill teaching was chosen as a case study for performance evaluation of these CBT systems. Empirical results show that the touch-based and TUI-based systems offered much better ease-of-use performance than that of the mouse-based system. Regarding learning efficacy, experimental results show that the TUI-based system achieved higher skill improvement, as compared with the WIMP-based system and a non-computer training method. Some guidelines and suggestions for the design of a TUI-based system for children with autism are summarized.     

Evaluation of the impact of tablet screen size on children tracing performance

Tablet PCs are used in various situations in everyday life. Many researchers found that tablets have the potential to enhance young children in learning; however, the optimal of tablet size on finger tracing for young children was not investigated. In this paper, we explored the impact of three different sizes of touch screen tablets: iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab 7″, and Samsung Galaxy S4 on efficiency and usability for young children ages between 4 and 6 year. Our study focused on the mechanics of tracing alphabets using finger on capacitive-touch tablets, while its outcome has potential implications towards tablet screen size for interfaces to support finger tracing on such devices. The performances were recorded and observed for the analysis of the data with respect to task efficiency and usability. Then, we adopted the Smileyometer based on a 1–5 Likert Scale as an instrument to measure perceived satisfaction. The usability evaluation’s results showed no significant difference in speed and accuracy performance. Nevertheless, tracing the alphabet on iPad was easier, more attractive and was able to increase more attention span than others. As well as the result from the Smileyometer, all of the participants preferred and felt more comfortable to use iPad.