VirtualMat: A serious game to teach logical-mathematical concepts for students with intellectual disability

Article type: Research Article

Authors: de Oliveira Malaquias, Fernanda Francielle | Malaquias, Rodrigo Fernandes^{; *} | Lamounier Jr., Edgard A. | Cardoso, Alexandre

Affiliations: Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Dr. Fernanda Francielle Malaquias. Programa de Pó-Graduação em Engenharia Elérica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. João Naves de Avila, 2160, Uberlândia-M.G.- Brasil. Tel.: +55 34 3239 4707; E-mail: fernandafrancielle@yahoo.com.br.

Abstract: This paper presents a serious game called VirtualMat. It is a Virtual Reality (VR) system designed to support the teaching of logical-mathematical concepts for students with intellectual disability. In this game, VR techniques were used in order to investigate its feasibility as a support tool for these students. The game was validated by special education professionals and tested by 15 students with intellectual disability from two inclusive schools. The results indicate that the game contributes to the student learning process by allowing the development of mathematical reasoning in an enjoyable and active way.

Keywords: Virtual reality, intellectual disability, serious games

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-130375

Journal: Technology and Disability, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 107-116, 2013