What is BreakThru? Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation Research in Disabilities Education Number BreakThru is a collaboration between Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Georgia.Georgia Institute of TechnologyUniversity of Georgia

What is BreakThru? Unique online learning community Connects students and mentors virtually Promotes accessibility achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) courses

What is BreakThru?

Tools Electronic mentoring (e-mentoring) virtual training social networking video analysis and personalized virtual learning communities are integrated as ways to enhance accessibility of adolescents and adults interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers.

Changing Focus Further emphasis on virtual mentoring. Increased focus on contact time with mentors over retention in majors. Wider range of communications technologies.

What Else is BreakThru? [Pics of text message, IM chat, phone call]

Original Goals 1.Increase the number of secondary students with disabilities enrolling in STEM postsecondary classes and majors 2.Increase the retention and graduation of postsecondary students with disabilities in STEM majors 3.Increase the successful entry of postsecondary students with disabilities into graduate programs or the workforce enrolling in STEM postsecondary classes and majors

BreakThru Foci 1.Access Through Social Networking and Virtual Environments 2.Persistence Incentives 3.Electronic Mentoring (E-mentoring) 4.Universal Design Principles

In Brief: Benefits of Virtual Worlds Mediated consequences Individualization Creative Solutions Immersion Collaborative & Constructivist Learning Access to Mentors

BreakThru Mentor Islands A primary tool for the project – virtual world of Second Life Mentors and students meet virtually on BreakThru “islands” to seek assistance, share knowledge and assist each other to overcome barriers

Two Mentor Islands

Mentoring Challenges Guidance on mentoring process, for both mentors and students. What does each need to know? How to get started? – Learning modules to help mentors and students communicate and share meaningfully – Address topics important – Mentors: – Students:

Account and Login Challenges Creation of Second Life accounts and initial login procedures can be confusing to any new user, regardless of disability or lack thereof. BreakThru created a Registration API that allow us to create and monitor all user accounts.

Accessibility Challenges Universal Design for Learning - is a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn. Crucial principles -

Accessibility Challenges Vision Hearing Mobility Dexterity Learning Disability Autism Spectrum and Asperger Syndrome

Some Vision Approaches Provision of Metadata for each object in-world For example “bicycle,” “chair,” “round café table”

Some Vision Approaches Alternate browsers, paired with voice-output screen readers TextSL with JAWS Metabolt with JAWS Radegast with speech plugin or NVDA (non-visual desktop access) reader Virtual Guidedog with Max Voice Plus ( IBM AbilityLab Virtual Worlds Accessible User Interface

Low Vision

Low Vision - Text

Low Vision - UI

Deaf and Hard of Hearing In general, Second Life has been relatively useful to students with deafness/hard of hearing because of frequent use of text chat Microphones add potential problems – No access to voice-only interactions – Need to self-identify as deaf – Second Life built-in voice recording can be problem for events

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Those who use sign language as a first language may face barriers to access similar to those with difficulty reading caused by slower written language skills. In effect, these individuals are forced to use a “second language” to communicate since American Sign Language is not supported by Second Life. These users often report a “lag” in textual communication, but few claim it is an insurmountable barrier.

Mobility Many Second Life users who have mobility limitations have expressed relative satisfaction with Second Life, as well. For some, they report the platform opens doors for those with limited mobility to feel free from their limitations. In Second Life, they can walk or even fly with ease. Some users present themselves in Second Life as using a wheelchair, while some do not.

Avatars with Disabilities

Dexterity It is often difficult for users with severe dexterity limitations to maneuver their avatars. Simple avatar functions such as walking or flying can be difficult. The viewer controls for camera and avatar motion in Second Life require precise, small click targets.

Dexterity Using voice to text or alternative pointing devices, most users are able to participate to a certain degree in most functions of the world, and some are even able to participate in advanced functions like building or scripting. Second Life suggests many alternative input devices such as 3Dconnexion alternative mice, Frogpad, Wacom tablet, Kensington Expert Mouse. mouse.html mouse.html

Learning Disability LD barriers are typically a result of software complexity and difficulty learning virtual world skills. The learning curve for Second Life is already significant for users without cognitive disabilities, creating an even larger barrier for those with cognitive disabilities. But experience has shown that these users can and do compensate for these issues, and given time they can become proficient. In-world tutorials can assist LD users

Summary Mentoring in Second Life and other virtual worlds holds great promise Careful development of environment with disability-related tools is essential Concentrate on Universal Design of VW spaces Supplement with additional communication methods

Recruitment and Retention Imperative that students and mentors form a lasting mentoring relationship. Retention starts early by choosing the right participants.

Recruitment Targeted recruitment materials for each of our audiences. – Mentors – Secondary SwD – Postsecondary SwD

Recruitment Emphasize what makes us unique – Virtual world – Long-distance mentoring Attract secondary audiences who encourage participation of primary audience members. – Parents – Teachers – Friends

Dealing with Churn Prepare a plan for the inevitable Maintain contact with prior applicants Make material as public as possible

So Far, So Good

Revised Primary Goal Support high school and undergraduate students with disabilities (SwD) in attaining STEM certificates and degrees.

Mentoring Subgoals Retain participants in BreakThru Virtual Mentoring and STEM Majors at a year-to-year persistence rate of 50% or more. Enroll 105 high school SwD, 65 two-year SwD, and 55 four-year SwD

Questions?

BreakThru Project Directors University of Georgia Noel Gregg Gerri Wolfe Georgia Institute of Technology Robert Todd Chris Langston Nathan Moon

BreakThru Contacts Virtual World Builders for BreakThru The Vesuvius Group LLC – The Vesuvius Group, LLC is an international collaborative of creatives specializing in developing online environments for community-building

Why Second Life? Well-documented, active support community Extremely rapid prototyping Significant third-party development – TextSL – Radegast, Metabolt, etc. Extensive user customization Marketplace