Abstract
Research shows that virtual reality (VR) can be used as a teaching aid for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In special needs education, one of the difficult parts is to increase the time of concentration of children with ASD in their learning. Using VR technology with 3D visualization and realistic rendering, the learning concentration as well as the teaching efficiency can be improved in special needs education. VR technology can also be extended to other applications of special needs education. This chapter presents the research work help children with ASD to learn basic skills of road crossing in traffic junctions with real-world scenarios simulated. The design and development of a road crossing serious game are described for independent learning of children with mild and moderate ASD. For children with severe ASD, teachers may need to give them additional aids and instructions in the learning process when they are using the road crossing serious game. Experiment results are promising. Currently, this serious game is designed for the left-hand traffic system like Singapore and UK. Right-hand traffic system will be developed in future.
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The authors would like to thank the students, teachers, staffs, principal, and parents of AWWA School for their support, help, and feedback in this research work.
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Zhang, Q., Cao, Q., Cai, Y. (2021). Learning to Cross Roads Through VR Playing. In: Cai, Y., Cao, Q. (eds) When VR Serious Games Meet Special Needs Education. Gaming Media and Social Effects. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6942-9_4
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