Providing hearing-impaired students with learning care after classes through smart phones and the GPRS network

Abstract

Although computers and network technology have been widely utilised to assist students learn, few technical supports have been developed to help hearing-impaired students learn in Taiwan. A significant challenge for teachers is to provide after-class learning care and assistance to hearing-impaired students that sustain their motivation to participate in continuous learning activities. However, lacking an effective communication channel, teachers cannot easily provide after-class learning care or instruction to sustain student motivation. This study developed a learning support system to provide after-class learning care through smart phones and the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network. Student reactions identified effective strategies regarding student–teacher interaction while teachers utilised the wireless network and handheld devices to provide learning support. Questionnaire results demonstrated that most students and their parents considered student–teacher interaction and strategies through GPRS and smart phones effective in improving student learning at home.