Ariffin Abdul Mutalib

Assistive Courseware for Visually-Impaired

Research in aiding disabled people with electronic applications should be one of the focuses in the area of human-computer interaction. The population of disabled is big and increasing, so they should be entertained well so that they will be potential resources to the nation. This paper discusses the Assistive Courseware (AC) in terms of how visually-impaired (VI) can make full use of them. It aims to propose guidelines for developing AC for VI people. In the introduction part, current issues regarding disabilities and the population is discussed. It also outlines the objectives of the paper. Next, the research methodology is outlined. There are three phases in which AC development is in the second phase which adapts the IntView courseware development methodology. The final part of the paper contains results of the test, which proposes basic guidelines for developing AC for VI.

Web-based laboratory equipment monitoring system using RFID

Monitoring laboratory equipment record is important to ensure every item is always in place. Generally, in and out equipment is handled manually by technician by writing down the equipment information, including time and date in equipment circulation form. To automate the process, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is one of the most practical and applicable in real implementation in-line with the nature where most of the systems are made computerized. In this paper, a solution has been provided for the problem encountered in laboratory equipment monitoring system using RFID technology. This project consist four main parts: the tag, tag reader, system development and networking system. The RFID tag is tagged on the laboratory equipment where the tag contains laboratory equipment information and RFID reader is located at the door of each laboratory room. This monitoring system enables the head of laboratory and technician to monitor in-out equipment in actual environment and also increase the efficiency in managing equipment in the laboratory. Benefits of the system include enhancement of the safety of University asset and reduce losses of assets and enhancement of the laboratory inventory control of equipment.

Design and development of portable RFID for attendance system

This paper describes an ongoing project for recording examination attendance using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). The project is carried out to test in a university, where the system which is named Portable Examination Attendance System (PEAS) is integrated with the existing system for record extraction. The use of RFID technology enables the university management to avoid attendance forms from damages such as tear, lost, and misplaced. This paper describes about the design and development of PEAS in terms of hardware technology and software. In addition, some related works are reviewed and addressed to support this project. As a conclusion, this paper states some future works of this project.

Preliminary Investigation on Creative Educational Content for Visually-impaired (VI) Learners

This paper reports on an ongoing research regarding the availability and the needs of creative content application for visually-impaired (VI) learners, particularly low vision children. Numerous assistive technologies (AT) products in terms of hardware and software have been found in previous studies. Conversely, studies in the development of creative content application especially in education are highly scarce. Furthermore, elicitation from literatures also reveals that the use of AT was problematic for low vision children. Hence, this study attempts to investigate the availability and the needs of creative educational content application for VI learners. Accordingly, semi-structured interviews have been conducted with experts from special needs field. The results indicate that the creative educational content application specifically developed for VI learners is not yet exist and the need for it is urgent.

The enhancement of assistive courseware for visually impaired learners

Advances in technology provide an opportunity for the visually-impaired (VI) people to learn and grasp new knowledge. It is as a medium that could fill a gap between VI and normal people. Even though various technologies are available to the VI people, yet there is no Assistive Courseware (AC) designed especially for the VI people. This paper aims to develop an AC for VI learners based on the guidelines that has been tested with the users in the preliminary study and later revised in this study. In the introduction part, the term of AC is discussed. The objectives of the paper are to redesign the storyboard of the earlier-designed prototype and develop a new version prototype of AC for VI. The study is based on Iterative Triangulation Methodology combined with the IntView Methodology. Summary of methodology is also discussed in this part consisting of four phases starting with specification identification until prototype development based on the revised guidelines. The final part of the paper discuses the problems gathered during preliminary testing, implementation issues and new features added in the AC in order to overcome the problems. The findings that this paper addresses include the guidelines, the storyboard and the prototype.

Critical Analysis in Proposing a Conceptual Design Model of Assistive Courseware for Low Vision (AC4LV) Learners

This paper reports on an ongoing study, which intends to propose a conceptual design model of Assistive Courseware(AC) that is particularly designed for low vision learners (LV) learners.Altogether, 15 conceptual design models of courseware were compared and analyzed exhaustively with the main objectives (i) to determine the research gaps in proposing a conceptual design model of AC4LV and (ii) to identify their common components.Through a systematic and critical analysis, this study discovers that all of the previous models do not suggest any specific conceptual design model of courseware that caters the visually-impaired (VI) particularly low vision (LV) learners in detail.It is noted that this is the research gap that should be the focal point for further study.Also, the previous literatures suggest that Instructional Design (ID) model, learning theories, and learning approach must be the basic component in designing the conceptual design model of courseware.

Implementation of network-based smart order system

This paper presents the development of smart order system in restaurant. The development of the system is primarily concerned to integrate and provide network system rather than the stand alone system which indicates the use of networking capabilities could provide efficient data communication as well as improved the management in restaurant. The development of the system strictly follows the system development life cycle. Generally, the system can be divided into 2 main components which are hardware design which are not discussed in details here and system development which primarily goals of the paper. The results indicate that the system works fine with the data communication works as planned.

Identification of Research Gap: T-Commerce Impulse Purchase for iTV Advertising

Itv advertising provides consumers with new sales channels as well as gives higher return to the advertisers. T-commerce is a tool in iTV advertising that enables users to buy something directly through television screen which is more flexible, comfortable, and convenient. Studies show that there is a necessity to examine the factors influencing individuals to purchase products on television shopping program. However, research effort on this is minimal. Also, design models that are dedicated to increase impulse purchase on iTV advertising are scarce and do not include consumer behaviour regarding impulse purchase. In fact, research on the design of t-commerce for iTV advertising for effective marketing strategies is still lacking. Therefore, such a gap ought to be investigated which could contribute to the fields of business and interactive advertising.

Usability of Instructional Interface: Accessibility Strategies of Courseware Design for Distance Learning, Nigeria

Usability is always the basic factor to be considered when developing any learning product. It attracts students to use the developed product such as courseware and help learners to gain more knowledge in learning. When usability strategies are considered in designing courseware, the courseware can be usable for the target users. Currently in Nigeria courseware are not fulfilling the requirement. Users are not happy with courseware; hence the usage is not encouraging, especially, in distance learning environment. Accordingly, this paper explains about the needs for determining the appropriate instructional interface elements using multimedia as part of usability strategies in courseware for distance learning. The study was carried out with fifteen academic staffs of a distance academic programme at university of Ilorin, Nigeria. Data were gathered through unstructured interviews. Having analyzed, the results show that there is a need for a study that determine the usability strategies for distance learning in Nigeria.

Preliminary Study: An Investigation on Learning Assistance Requirement among Low Achievers in Primary Schools

Learning is crucial for everybody regardless of their ability and achievement.Some children demonstrate inability in academic performance from their early stage of learning process; thus, categorized as low achievers (LA).In order to define learning difficulties and requirements among LA children, a qualitative study was conducted using three different techniques; i) semi- structured interview, ii) document review with LINUS content experts and iii) observation with students from five schools in Kedah and Perlis.The results reveal that, the LA children need a specific computer-based learning assistance as an alternative learning material to facilitate their learning process.Learning concepts are also discussed as an initial suggestion in this study.