TL2: Usability Study: The Deaf Children’s User Experiences with Storybook Apps

Touchscreen technology makes it possible to seamlessly integrate ASL videos and English text on a single screen and serves as a reading device for children, providing a rich, bilingual immersion for learning.

The study’s child participants are being observed and asked how they browse through the VL2 Storybook App, which is based on theoretical design and research about visual sign phonology and language and reading acquisition/development. The language, reading, and attitudes of parents are also examined in this study.

By observing and understanding the target audience (children ages 5 to 8) and how they use, read, and interact with VL2 storybook apps, we gain further insights to determine the best design approaches in future app editions in translating research into educational resources suitable for that age group, and what type of additional material would support parents and educators.

Data has been collected, we are doing data analyses, and will write up a manuscript for publication.