1,720,978 research outputs found
Exploring communication and representation of the self in a virtual world by young people with autism
Full text linkOne of the key benefits that a virtual world can provide to their users and community is the ability to communicate (via text and audio) and to express emotions (via gestures, facial expressions, etc.) on an interpersonal level. Virtual worlds provide contexts that allow users to interact in a variety of ways, and to express themselves through their individually designed avatars. Virtual environments and collaborative virtual environments have therefore been used in several studies with the aim of helping people with autism to interact, to communicate and to understand social skills. This thesis examines the work of others within the domain of virtual environments and autism, in an effort to understand debates and experiments that have led to some successful outcomes in helping people with autism to interact in a safe and secure environment. The conclusions of the research have been derived through a case study and by embedding a virtual world (Second Life) into a classroom for children on the autism spectrum. The case study group of autism participants consisted of eight 15 to 16 year olds, with 15 typically developing participants between 18 and 21 years of age. The case study lasted over eight sessions and three months, although the researcher was involved with the school for 12 months (to help with virtual world set up and design; designing in-world sessions). During the sessions social tasks were devised (e.g. visiting a coffee shop, fun fair rides, restaurant), with several opportunities for the participants to use the space as they desired.This thesis is offered as an original and substantial contribution to the fields of knowledge of assistive technology, autism and information and communication technology, focusing specifically on the role that a virtual world can play in a classroom for children on the autism spectrum. More specifically, this thesis explores social communication patterns in virtual worlds, visual representation of self through an avatar, and appropriateness of communication interactions in a virtual world used by young people on the autism spectrum. Visual representation of self is discussed by comparison to the typically developing group.Several main areas of innovation are detailed in the research: firstly, the finding that avatar representation for users with autism seems to be led by the body rather than the face; secondly, that the fidelity of the avatar seems to hold limited relevance for this user group; and thirdly, that communication in virtual worlds is expressed almost entirely though text chat and in a way that tends to lend itself to some inappropriate comments, although these tended to be far less than appropriate conversations recorded in the current study.The original and substantial contribution to knowledge of this thesis is an addition to our understanding of ways in which users with autism interact and represent themselves in a virtual world. Future scholars will be able to build on this, to consider the role that avatar customisation and design play in virtual-world interaction for users with autism. In addition, scholars in the fields of interaction will be able to take several findings associated with computer-mediated communication and apply to design related subjects; especially with emerging fields such as touch screen devices. Implications for avatar-mediated interfaces could also be informed by the findings presented in this thesis, especially the role of 3D and 2D avatars for users with autism. Moreover, this thesis presents original findings on preference for communication play in a virtual world that could impact on the role gestures, facial features and text communication in interactive interfaces
Virtual reality in pediatric psychology
Full text linkVirtual reality technologies allow for controlled simulations of affectively engaging background narratives. These virtual environments offer promise for enhancing emotionally relevant experiences and social interactions. Within this context virtual reality can allow instructors, therapists, neuropsychologists, and service providers to offer safe, repeatable, and diversifiable interventions that can benefit assessments and learning in both typically developing children and children with disabilities. Research has also pointed to virtual reality’s capacity to reduce children’s experience of aversive stimuli and reduce anxiety levels. While there are a number of purported advantages of virtual reality technologies, challenges have emerged. One challenge for this field of study is the lack of consensus on how to do trials. A related issue is the need for establishing the psychometric properties of virtual reality assessments and interventions. This review investigates the advantages and challenges inherent in the application of virtual reality technologies to pediatric assessments and interventions
Virtual reality tour: Experiences of autistic children
Full text linkWe worked with 11 autistic children in a school setting. The age ranged from 10-14 with a mean age of 12.4. Of the 12 children invited to take part, eleven (11) completed the process. The process comprised five parts:1. Answering questions related to their experiences of visiting museums/cultural spaces (2-3 mins.). 2. They had the chance to experience a museum tour using a VR 360-degree app (using cardboardgoogles) (5-10 mins.).3. Completed follow up questions about their experience of the VR app (2-3 mins.).4. 4 days later visited the same museum in real life (4 hours).5. The next day completed a post museum visit questionnaire related to their experiences (5 mins).At all points the participants were checked for any signs of ‘cyber-sickness’ or negative effects (feeling unwell, eye strain, etc..) when using the VR app. Teachers helped to ask the questions and performed the post- questionnaire survey. The following questions are reduced/condensed versions of the questions / questionnaire administered
Using virtual reality with autistic pupils
Full text linkIn the guide Nigel explores the two main options for VR-HMD; HTC Vive and cardboard VR with a smartphone/device. Focussing on the cardboard VR option, he then offers some guidance on using this technology with autistic pupils and recommends some content for both cardboard and HTC Vive VR devices.Nigel outlines advantages and disadvantages of both options, before focussing on the cardboard VR-HMD and offering guidance on how to set it up and use it with pupils. He also outlines apps and content to use with both the cardboard and HTC Vive options
Exploring communication and representation of the self in a virtual world by young people with autism
No full textWestgate School virtual worlds for learning: Consultant report addressing a virtual world project in Westgate School Leicester
No full text
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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