Project 02 In-Class Activity
Overview
In this simulation, we will look at some of the communication difficulties experienced by verbally impaired users. The activity will walk you through using communication boards in a real-life environment as well as gravity sketch in an immersive environment to share a story that could be told during a meal. From now on, please refrain from using speech for communication; Instead, feel free to use the communication boards to communicate basic needs, questions, and requests.
This exercise is not meant to simulate experiences of disability. Simulations are imperfect especially when it comes to understanding disability. In addition, studies show mixed results on the impact of disability simulation on empathy; However, VR has the potential to provide empathetic, immersive, and iterative spaces. Think of this simulation as a communication experience to give you a sense of the challenges in predicting needed vocabulary.
Remember, DO NOT TALK, except via your communication board (and sketches in the virtual environment later on)
What is AAC?
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) refers to interventions designed to compensate for an individual’s communication difficulty. For people who are unable to speak at all, AAC serves as an alternative to speech. More often, AAC is used to augment speech, as most are able to say at least a few words.
Communication Boards
A communication board is a type of augmentative or alternative communication (AAC) device that allows nonverbal individuals to communicate with others. These devices can be handmade or digital programs that can be used in the home, at school, or in other settings. For this section, we will be using printouts of comprehensive communication boards developed by Proloquo2Go.
Task 01# Communication Boards
For the communication boards activity, #01s will have to think of a story and communicate it to #02s using the boards provided. #02s will have to share their understanding of the story; they can also use the communication boards to ask for more information/repetitions/clarifications …etc.
[2 minutes]
Each pair familiarizes themselves with the communication boards
[3 minutes]
#01s finalize the story they would like to share via communication boards (in their heads]
[6 minutes]
#01s start sharing their story via pointing at content boxes on the communication boards while #02s try to keep up with the information and formulate a cohesive narrative.
#02s should check (√) beside each vocabulary item that #01s actually used and circle the ones that #01s did not use
[2 minutes]
#02s share their understanding of the story verbally and out loud
[2 minutes]
[5 minutes] Complete the evaluation form here
Gravity Sketch
Gravity sketches provide an environment where designers can make 3D objects in a 3D space. In addition, it hosts a comprehensive network of cross-platform file sharing and modeling collaboration through its built-in cloud-based storage, Gravity Sketch Landing Pad.
Ideally, Gravity Sketch would be used to design an interactive 3D communication board in the virtual environment; Instead, we will focus on visual representations of vocabulary in a collaborative virtual environment.
Task 02# Gravity Sketch
[5 minutes]
Create a landing page account and complete your profile
Download Gravity Sketch (for free) through the Oculus Store
[15 minutes]
#01s set up a collab room and invite their partner
#02s finalize the story they would like to share via 3D sketching and design
Inside Gravity Sketch, click on the landing page option and join the collaborative virtual environment
[7 minutes max] #01 observes their partner (u can use all the available Gravity Sketch tools to communicate as well)
#01s share their understanding of the story verbally and out loud
[5 minutes] both partners complete the evaluation form here