nimh initiatives

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Computer Technology for Computer Technology for Educational Training of students Educational Training of students

with Mental Retardationwith Mental Retardation

Dept of Special Education, NIMHDept of Special Education, NIMH


NIMH INITIATIVESNIMH INITIATIVES

• Earlier projects on CAI on Ms DOS (1993 ) & Earlier projects on CAI on Ms DOS (1993 ) & Windows( 1995) conducted at NIMH proved to be Windows( 1995) conducted at NIMH proved to be effective in education of children with MR.effective in education of children with MR.

• In addition to learning content their memory In addition to learning content their memory increased.increased.

• Concentration increased.Concentration increased.• Retention of learnt content was long lasting.Retention of learnt content was long lasting.• Abstract concepts could be taught through CAI.Abstract concepts could be taught through CAI.• Built-in immediate reward system was reinforcing Built-in immediate reward system was reinforcing

to the students.to the students.


ObjectivesObjectives• To develop computer software to teach functional To develop computer software to teach functional

literacy, numeracy and functional environmental literacy, numeracy and functional environmental sciences.sciences.

• To develop adaptations for the hardware To develop adaptations for the hardware (peripherals) to suit the associated disabilities, if any, (peripherals) to suit the associated disabilities, if any, in students with mental retardation.in students with mental retardation.

• To test the efficacy of the developed materials on the To test the efficacy of the developed materials on the target population.target population.

• Large scale production for disseminationLarge scale production for dissemination


MethodologyMethodology• Development of softwareDevelopment of software• Script developed by the project teamScript developed by the project team• Agency selected following proceduresAgency selected following procedures

Grey Scale Media SolutionsGrey Scale Media Solutions developed the softwaredeveloped the software• Every frame was designed by project team along with Every frame was designed by project team along with

the agencythe agency• Field tested Field tested • Modifications based on the field testing were made Modifications based on the field testing were made

and finalized.and finalized.


Software developedSoftware developed• Literacy Readiness ILiteracy Readiness I• Numeracy Readiness IINumeracy Readiness II• Literacy IIILiteracy III• Numeracy IIINumeracy III• My CountryMy Country• Living and Non livingLiving and Non living• Health and SafetyHealth and Safety• Community UtilizationCommunity Utilization


Each software has facility forEach software has facility for

• Individualizing each student’s fileIndividualizing each student’s file• Option to engage in Individualized and small Option to engage in Individualized and small

group instructiongroup instruction• Progress monitoring Progress monitoring • Inbuilt error correction and rewardInbuilt error correction and reward• QuizQuiz


Hardware peripheralsHardware peripherals

• Dark Key boardDark Key board - sustain attention - sustain attention

• Web camWeb cam - reinforcement - reinforcement

• Cues on mouse & KeyboardCues on mouse & Keyboard

• Raised keyboard for CP children having Raised keyboard for CP children having difficulty to handle.difficulty to handle.

• Key guardKey guard• Joy stickJoy stick


Currently…Currently…

• Software is made in English & HindiSoftware is made in English & Hindi

• Software is ready for web-enablingSoftware is ready for web-enabling

• The original software which took 8 CDs is The original software which took 8 CDs is now redeployed on a 2 CDs for making it now redeployed on a 2 CDs for making it cheaper / easy for disseminationcheaper / easy for dissemination


Further Action………Further Action………

• To disseminate to all parts of the country by To disseminate to all parts of the country by outsourcing agenciesoutsourcing agencies

• To develop curriculum based software to To develop curriculum based software to aid concept learning in primary classes & aid concept learning in primary classes & subject wisesubject wise

• To translate existing packages in regional To translate existing packages in regional and vernacular languagesand vernacular languages

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