Modern Tactile Maps In Special Education

Abstract

The majority of information has a spatial context that can be represented on a map. For people with visual impairments, using a map as a representation of a real spatial context is not only a possibility but also a necessity. At the Department of Geoinformatics, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic, the research team has developed prototypes and methodology for the creation of a modern type of 3D tactile maps, linkable with mobile devices. The prototypes have been verified in practice in cooperation with educational centres for people with visual impairment and blind people, and in special schools. It is comprehensive research focusing on a number of scientific challenges. The implementation of newly created tactile maps into the process of education of people with visual impairment was realized thanks to the active cooperation of experts from the Institute of Special Education Studies, experts from the Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic, educators from many special education centres, and teachers from special schools. The development of prototypes was possible thanks to cooperation with the target respondents (people with visual impairments) and their willingness to evaluate maps, to evaluate the use of tactile maps in training, and their readiness to cooperate on modifying the proposed prototypes through the user testing.

Keywords: Tactile mapsspecial educationvisual impairment3D technology

Introduction

Education responds to the current state of knowledge in the world. It is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. It is about sharing knowledge with individuals. With new knowledge, the curriculum and didactic methodologies are changing.  This also applies to the field of special education. However, this is not only about new knowledge, but above all about new technologies which bring new possibilities to the field of special education.

The aim of this contribution is to present the joint research conducted at the Institute of Special Education Studies and the Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic. Among other issues, a new type of tactile map has been developed, using the most advanced 3D printing options. The research includes the concept of creating tactile maps, testing them with users, and the use of modern, tactile cartography in different levels of education, including long-life education (Vondráková & Růžičková, 2018).

Problem Statement

For centuries, tactile maps have been an essential part of the education of people with visual impairment. Early modern tactile maps in special education (the second half of the 20th century) were mostly made of heavy paper and were used for the training of spatial orientation and independent motion of blind people in their everyday life. Later production of tactile maps was based on using the technology of thermo-vacuum foil and other available technologies, such as gypsum or plastic castings (Vondrakova, Barvir, Vozenilek, & Brus, 2018).

Tactile maps can be divided into several types according to interactivity, purpose, technology, etc. Raised and depressed surfaces are used to indicate spatial phenomena. The content of maps and their form must also be relevant to the level of education: children, adults, people with combined disabilities (for example visual impairment combined with mental disabilities), and users who have experience using any tactile maps previously—each group may have different requirements.

The design and creation of proper tactile maps is a task for cartographers, while the education of the target group of users is a task for teachers or staff of special education centres. Only cooperation between these two groups of experts can lead to the efficient education of people with visual impairment using tactile maps.

Within the project Development of independent movement through tactile-auditory aids , the team of experts from the Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic, developed a new type of modern multi-media tactile map, using a smartphone (tablet) for the auditory module part of the tactile map used by people with visual impairment.

Research Questions

The area of spatial orientation and independent movement is one of the most significant and probably also most frequently mentioned consequences of severe visual impairment. In the years 2017–2018 a survey was performed which aimed to penetrate deeper into the issue; all respondents were contacted by the researchers from the Institute of Special Education Studies, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic. The purpose of the survey was the exploration and description of selected aspects of spatial orientation and independent movement from the point of view of the actors themselves – people with severe visual impairment and interested professionals.

Based on the survey and research findings, and in cooperation with experts from the Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic, a project proposal, “ Development of independent movement through tactile-auditory aids” was created. The implementation of this project includes the creation of tactile maps of a modern type, which are implemented in the process of education of people with visual impairment.

Purpose of the Study

The proper teaching aids, such as the modern tactile maps presented here, can significantly simplify the process of acquiring spatial information by people with visual impairment. Spatial orientation and knowledge of spatial information are crucial for people with visual impairments not only because of the general education and understanding of fundamental processes in life and the world but mainly because of quality of life improvements that can be brought about by enabling independent movement through space. Independent walking (movement) training is an integral part of the lives of individuals with a severe visual impairment from early childhood to senior age (Wiener, 2006).

For better understanding of the learning and teaching processes in (tactile) cartography, it is highly recommended to study widely acclaimed publications such as Learning and Teaching with Maps (Wiegand, 2006), papers from the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, papers from cartographic journals, and papers focusing the psychology of education of people with visual impairment (Vondráková & Růžičková, 2018).

The main aim of the presented research was to develop modern multi-media tactile maps based on the knowledge of the latest 3D printing techniques and based on the research outcomes dealing with the needs and preferences of people with visual impairment. User issues are very important in the process of map production (Vondráková, 2016; Brychtova, Popelka, & Dobesova 2012). The tactile maps have been subjected to user testing, and the final prototypes were created focusing on acquired knowledge. The current phase of research is implementation into special education in the form of various didactic procedures.

Research Methods

There are many kinds of research focusing on the theoretical part of tactile cartography, such as cartographic communication, tactile graphics, semantics, symbology in a tactile map, and also on the mechanical issues, such as printing technologies. However, there are just a few papers focusing on user studies with people with visual impairment and focusing on this particular part of special education.

The primary research methods used include working with the target group of users, focusing on their needs and preferences. Subsequently, extensive interviews were conducted with educators involved in the education of persons with visual impairments and in the training of the independent movement of these persons. In parallel, research in the field of tactile cartography was conducted. Synthesis of the acquired knowledge enabled the design of new tactile maps. After extensive user testing and incorporating comments and changes, these maps are implemented in the education of people with visual impairments. The last phase of the project is also the study and design of specific didactic procedures within the education process.

Findings

The main reason to use tactile maps in the education of people with visual impairments is that they are inherently unable to understand the characteristics of space and spatial characteristics in any other way. The spoken word does not sufficiently replace the perception of the metric properties of space.

Modern type of tactile maps

Creating a tactile map for people with visual impairment and blind people is conceptually different and more complicated compared to normal map creation. Modern technologies bring new possibilities to the process of map design and map creation. Therefore, cartographers focus on the question of how spatial information can be effectively presented to people with visual impairment using available information technologies. One of the solutions is to link the 3D tactile-cartography to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. The modern mobile /technologies with the internet connection and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) navigation have brought new possibilities on how to quickly convert spatial information into voice.

During the implementation of the project Development of independent movement through tactile-auditory aids , the gained knowledge was applied to the production of “TouchIt3D tactile maps” (Figure 1 ). This is a system of 3D printed tactile maps linked to mobile technology (smartphone, tablet, etc.). Because the modern tactile maps using TouchIt3D technology (Barvir et al., 2018) require many different sizes of 3D map objects, the map symbols also have to be different. When one is navigating using the TouchIt3D tactile map, vibrations are used to provide the actual information, and other technologies help to make the 3D presentations of the geospace more accessible.

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TouchIt3D technology

The developed TouchIt3D technology is based on linking 3D objects, such as tactile maps, 3D models, controls, etc., with a mobile tablet or mobile phone using a combination of conductive and non-conductive filament. Each model is linked to an individual mobile application layout that initiates a pre-action based on user suggestions made while touching the model. Data can be acquired in real-time via the Internet as the tablet can be connected to WiFi or a cellular network.

TouchIt3D technology is primarily focused on the presentation of spatial data and navigation for people with visual or other impairments, and can be used for the general public as well. There are two ways how to create TouchIt3D tactile map. The first way is to prepare all the data manually. Another approach is the semi-automatic workflow. This approach is significantly different from previous workflows of producing maps for people with visual impairment. A solution based on open-source and free software and data together with sharing the electronic part of the map in the form of a tablet dramatically lowered costs of tactile maps production. The designed scripts and models also reduced the time necessary to spend on map design to a minimum.

User testing provided all data required for the improvement, and maximal adaptation of the cartographic visualisation methods to the target user needs. Nevertheless, maps which are partly automatically done and based on crowdsourced data cannot bring the same quality as individually made tactile maps.

The main aim of the research was to find a workflow for interactive tactile maps created using TouchIt3D technology. The research also dealt with setting appropriate parameters of the map, e.g. the map scale, cartographic symbol size, map content etc. This optimisation is done to fit the needs of people with visual impairment as much as possible on the one hand and taking into account the limitations of the possibilities of map creation (Figure 2 ).

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Implementation in special education

The proposed maps can be divided according to their purpose, into maps which are intended for independent movement training of people with visual impairments, and maps which are intended for general education and gaining specific information about space.

The maps are in multiple colours because the majority of people with visual impairments have some remnants of vision and therefore see different areas. The design in contrasting colours, therefore, allows them to engage another sense, not just touch (and hearing for multimedia elements).

The first type of map (Figure 3 ) is focused on a small area where space is simplified into four layers. The tactile map presented in Figure 3 shows the town square in Olomouc. The layer which is represented in red, is the highest area-layer and represents buildings. The yellow area-layer (middle height) shows the sidewalks. The blue area-layer (base) shows the roads and other accessible areas, but it is not a sidewalk, so there is (might be) danger during movement. Objects of interest are printed in black colour and are in points, placed a little bit higher than the red area-layer. These are printed using conductive material and when touched (various parameters can be set, such as a long touch, tapping, etc.), multimedia content is launched. The audio track may contain, for example, information about what kind of building it is, what opening hours it has, etc. For public transport stops it can be information, what lines are going here, at what time interval etc. There can also be a task for the users, used in the educational process.

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The second type of map is used for a general presentation of space and can be used for any topic where it is possible to use a map. An example is an altitude map of the Czech Republic (Figure 4 ). The map has a graphic scale, a brief legend, buttons for launching various application modes, as well as conductive elements; in this case, the highest mountains, while the audio tracks contain information about these mountains.

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TouchIt3D tactile maps use special software (TactileMapTalk) that is installed on the tablet.

Currently, a tool is being developed to enable individual teachers to create audio content for the prepared maps.

Conclusion

The majority of information has a spatial context that can be represented on a map. For some kinds of users, in particular those with visual impairments, using a map as a representation of real spatial context is not only a possibility but a necessity.

At the Department of Geoinformatics, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic, the research team developed prototypes and methodology for the creation of 3D tactile maps of a modernt type, linkable with mobile devices.

Interactive tactile maps connectable with mobile devices bring new opportunities to develop tactile map production. The prototypes have been verified in practice in cooperation with educational centres for people with visual impairment and blind people, and with special schools. It is comprehensive research focusing on numerous scientific challenges. Individual parts of the presented research, such as user testing, a detailed description of technological processes during tactile map creation, etc. are published by the author's team as the results are achieved and verified, and links are also available at the website tactilemaps.upol.cz .

The implementation of newly created tactile maps into the process of education of people with visual impairment was realized thanks to the active cooperation of experts from the Institute of Special Education Studies, experts from the Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic, educators from many special education centres, and teachers from special schools. Last but not least, it was possible thanks to the enthusiasm of the target respondents (people with visual impairments) and their willingness to evaluate maps, to evaluate the use of tactile maps in training, and their readiness to cooperate on modifying the proposed prototypes through further user testing.

Acknowledgments

The paper was realized with the support of project Development of independent movement through tactile-auditory aids , Nr. TL01000507, supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic. We would also like to thank all respondents and colleagues.

References

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