Using Assistive Technology for Spiritual Enhancement of Brain-Impaired Children

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the feasibility of using assistive technology for spiritual enhancement of brain-impaired children. The assistive technology in this case is the humanoid robot. A qualitative approach was employed where the sample size was twenty teachers based at a special education primary school in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Data were collected through interviews using a semi-structured interview guideline. From the analyses of the interview transcripts, the findings suggested that the teachers are optimistic on the use of humanoids to enhance the children's spiritual or religious knowledge, in particular, the repetitive motions in praying and memorizing the verses from the Quran. It is important to note that the teachers and school children are all of the Islamic faith. Although the study suggests a positive influence of humanoids for spiritual enhancement, more research is needed in this area to provide empirical evidence on assistive technology for brain-impaired children, especially those suffering from autism.