Award Data

This project develops an electronic mobility aid for individuals with low vision or blindness to prevent collision with overhanging obstacles not detected by standard methods such as the cane. This electronic mobility aid fulfills the criteria of (1) small size, (2) low cost, (3) low cognitive demands, and (4) hands-free operation. Phase I of the project focuses on novel algorithms to minimize cog ...

Virtual worlds are an emerging form of technology where users can take the form of an avatar and move around within a simulated environment. Such worlds may have potential in the field of education to provide students with new learning opportunities by affording participation in tasks that often would not be possible in the real world due to constraints and restrictions, such as cost, scheduling, ...

Planet First Energy Worlds will be a 3D virtual environment focused on energy-related topics that address mathematics and science standards for 6th grade. The curricula embedded within the intervention will focus on inquiry scenarios and will leverage disciplinary content to address different situations using a video game format immersed in 3-D technology. The games will take two days of class tim ...

The FabLab Construction Station will allow second grade teachers and students to design and fabricate 2D and 3D geometric shapes, bulletin boards, paper airplanes, pop-ups, and other materials. Student outcomes will include improved math and engineering knowledge in topics including shapes, geometry, pre-algebra, and measurement. Curricular materials for teachers will be designed to integrate the ...

This project will develop the iPrompt software, for use with iphones and ipdads. Teachers will employ the tool with flexible and unobtrusive strategies to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The main features of the iprompt are the Video Modeling Library and the Community Media Library, a teacher’s professional development manual, and video Modules to support teacher use of the ...

The Volunteer, Employment, and Internship Web Solutions project will produce a web-based services that provide students with employment, volunteer, and internship opportunities to prevent students from dropping out of school. The website will connect students to local businesses and civic organizations. The intervention will include teacher professional development and support. Phase I work will d ...

This project produces a new, accessible, web-based I Can Work application that enhances community participation and independent living for individuals with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) often need to work to supplement their disability benefits. Increases in earned income ...

Self-determination is a desirable and critical outcome for students with disabilities. Self- determination is particularly important in transition planning, since it is literally the launching process for the rest of the student's life. One barrier for students with cognitive disabilities in achieving self-determination for transition planning has been difficulty dealing with print-based material ...

This research will explore the use of a virtual polyhedron modeling environment which creates nets, or patterns, for a polyhedron created on the screen, in the teaching of geometry and spatial skills. When the net is printed, cut, folded, and glued together, a 3-dimensional model of the original polyhedron is created. We propose to examine the use of this tool in an instructional setting, to dete ...

Today's extremely powerful, low-cost computer systems offer tremendous potential as learning tools. However, development of high quality educational software, particularly simulations, lags behind. This research will explore the issues in creating highly realistic, very detailed simulations directly targeted for educational purposes. The domain simulated will be a small retail business. This do ...