In Science Daily’s October 14, 2009 issue, we learn in a Dutch research study that computers are assisting children to learn sign language. In this article, Jereon Arendsen states, “Very little is known about the perception of sign language. The aim of this research was to expand our knowledge of human observation of signing. For instance, it turns out that sign language users only need to see a small part of a hand movement to know it is a sign and what it means.” These researchers have developed a computer that can recognize sign language in real time and can, therefore, be used to teach children who are deaf and hard of hearing new signs more quickly. Children aged three to six were asked to make the correct sign. The computer then had to assess the sign. Continues Arendsen, “And that is quite difficult, because a computer is more easily confused than people by irrelevant fidgeting.”
Sign language vocabulary of the older children who had practiced with the computer application had increases compared to the control group. Further development and practice is needed.
This study reminds us that computers have a purpose in the lives of all children!
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