A few days ago in Edinburgh I visited the Royal High School to feedback the proposal to my target user group and the head of the language department, Carly Beaton.
The small focus group was valuable, after a slow start we started to discuss aspects of the concept that could be improved or perhaps changed. The major points were;
Wii sign should maintain a strong gaming element to interest the target audience to ‘play’ it
Implement a time limit for testing at the end of each level in perhaps an emergency situation so there is pressure to do well and learn along the way before advancing
Try different angles, maybe like a first person camera angle and try it with real characters not animated ones
Emergency situations seemed to be more relevant for this age group
We discussed the gaming issue vs language tool. They agreed that whilst young kids would enjoy a simpler version, a straight forward language tool for adults would be suitable and for their age range a more game orientated environment would work where they didn’t feel like they were learning.
Secondly I met Carly Beaton, head of language department at the RHS. She liked the proposal and we discussed different ways to learn languages. She showed me tools like flash cards, the interactive white board. We discussed how certain words cognate with English words, think Sopa in Spanish and Soup in English. This is a good starting point, at the initial learning stage, so perhaps in sign to begin with gestural movements that we use, like banana, which in sign language is holding up the shape of a banana and peeling it, makes the user feel at ease and introduces them gently into the world of sign language encouraging movement and gesture at an early stage.
She also suggested that this had much wider potential than just teaching hearing people how to use basic communicative sign language. It could also be used to teach individuals that have a learning disability or communication disability, or perhaps an older age group where a relative has become deafened and the tool could be used together. I think I will definitely put more emphasis on the two player aspect, and/or utilizing the internet connection of the wii. There have been alot of people asking for people to practice signing online with so I think this is a great opportunity to create a channel where this is possible and widely spread.
At this point in the project I have to admit I am a bit puzzled where to focus my attention on. The advice I have been given by professionals and other participants have said keep it as a straight forward language tool but the ‘target user group’ has said make it more like a game. Perhaps since this concept rolled out as a straight forward good idea rather than a user-centric approach which I am used to I am finding it difficult to concentrate the design so I may aim it as a language tool for adults which I think in this case is more appropriate.
Hi Sarah
I think you have ‘stumbled’ on an idea that is potentially bigger than you
realize. My grandson (age 12) is deaf and goes to the school for the deaf in
Derby. However, he is really struggling with his reading, as learning the
sign language for the letters in the words and the written word to go with
it have no meaning unless he also sees the sign for whole word – and then he
struggles to remember what he has learned!
However, he loves doing anything that is interactive and gaming – in fact
like most kids he has to be dragged away from the Xbox etc.
There seems to be a real gap in the market for teaching sign language to
kids that are a bit older – everything seems to be aimed at the little ones
or adults. Perhaps you might find it useful to contact his school for
ideas – just put ‘school for deaf, Derby’ into Google.
Hope this is useful, and good luck,
Margaret
PS I picked up your info from the British-sign course that I am doing.
Margaret Beardsmore
Hello,
As an owner of a Wii and also trying to learn British Sign Language i would just like to say I think this is a brilliant idea, and if it was possible to combine both learning and fun, thats a winning formula!
Just thought i’d give a little message of support! Look forward to seeing how it comes on!
Cheers