The educational development of hearing impaired children is directly proportional to their facili-ty with language. Primary language skills that are easily and naturally acquired by all other chil-dren are delayed in deaf children whose parents and family members are not skilled communica-tors in sign language. Current sign language training programs are marginally effective and are limited by the existing instructional resource materials. Fluent production of sign language re-quires ample practice time and exposure to well-represented signs in an appropriate linguistic context. Traditionally, sign language textbooks and dictionaries have been the only resource out-side of the classroom. Presently, multimedia technologies exist which can be adapted and ex-tended to provide interactive, instructional sign language activities on a variety of computer plat-forms. The Phase I proposal investigates the extent to which multimedia computer technologies can be used to create stimulating, interactive software for the teaching of sign language. Phase I will achieve this objective by developing a prototype of multimedia software for sign language instruction on a single computer platform and by evaluating its effectiveness. Phase II will allow further development and refinement of the interactive software, more extensive field testing of the software and the pedagogy embodied in it, and will undertake the development of the soft-ware on other viable platforms.Summary: Anticipated results of Phases I & II include (1) the successful development of prototypical multi-media software utilizing newly developed technologies (e.g. full-motion video and digital audio on personal computers), (2) enthusiastic reception of the software by the target audience, (3) demonstrated effectiveness of the software will as a learning tool, and (4) demonstrated mar-ketability of the software given the current direction of the computer industry toward aggressive-ly marketing "Multimedia PC's," "CD-I platforms," and other multimedia delivery systems for educational and home markets.
Keywords: sign language, deaf, hearing impaired, multimedia, computer, software, interactive, educationTopic 8: Development or Adaptation of Innovative Technologies to Enhance Learning and Development of Children with Disabilities.
