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The design of a software to enhance the reading comprehension skills of deaf students: An integration of multiple theoretical perspectives

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Abstract

In this paper we discuss the role of visual resources, namely Greek Sign Language videos, concept maps and pictures, and their allocation in a multimedia educational software designed to enhance reading comprehension in deaf children. First, we summarize research findings from three bodies of literature that informed the design of the software: reading comprehension and deaf children, the role of visual displays in reading comprehension and multimedia learning theories. In the following part, we describe the software “See and See” and explain how relevant theory and research regarding visual displays and multimedia learning has been applied to its design. Finally, we present a pilot evaluation of “See and See” regarding the students’ interaction with the software and its role in reading comprehension.

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Notes

  1. In this paper, the term deaf is used to describe the entire population of deaf students.

  2. In their typology Levin et al. (1987) included one more category of pictures, those serving a transformation function, but this one applies to expository and not to narrative texts.

  3. The educational software “See and See” was developed as part of a project, implemented by the University of Thessaly in Greece and co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and national resources (Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs-Operational Programme for Education and Initial Vocational Training).

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Leontios Hadjileontiadis, Panagiotis Petrantonakis, Viky Kosmidou and Sofia Koutsogiorgou and all project participants who contributed to the development of the educational software “See and See”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Special Education, University of Thessaly, Argonafton & Philellinon, 38221, Volos, Greece

    Magda Nikolaraizi

  2. Department of Primary Education, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece

    Ioanna Vekiri

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  1. Magda Nikolaraizi
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  2. Ioanna Vekiri
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Correspondence to Magda Nikolaraizi.

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Nikolaraizi, M., Vekiri, I. The design of a software to enhance the reading comprehension skills of deaf students: An integration of multiple theoretical perspectives. Educ Inf Technol 17, 167–185 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-011-9152-1

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