title: InSPAL: A Novel Immersive Virtual Learning Programme.
abstract: In this paper we introduce The Interactive Sensory Program for Affective Learning (InSPAL) a pioneering virtual learning programme designed for the severely intellectually disabled (SID) students, who are having cognitive deficiencies and other sensory-motor handicaps, and thus need more help and attention in overcoming their learning difficulties. Through combining and integrating interactive media and virtual reality technology with the principles of art therapy and relevant pedagogical techniques, InSPAL aims to strengthen SID students' pre-learning abilities, promote their self-awareness, decrease behavioral interferences with learning as well as social interaction, enhance their communication and thus promote their quality of life. Results of our study show that students who went through our programme were more focused, and the ability to do things more independently increased by 15%. Moreover, 50% of the students showed a marked improvement in the ability to raise their hands in response, thus increasing their communication skills. The use of therapeutic interventions enabled a better control to the body, mind and emotions, resulting a greater performance and better participation.
authors.affiliation: AIMtech Centre and Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.affiliation: AIMtech Centre and Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Horace H S
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.affiliation: AIMtech Centre and Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shuk-Ying Lau
authors.affiliation: AIMtech Centre and Department of Computer Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen Li
authors.affiliation: The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong-Cornwall School.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tso
authors.affiliation: The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong-Cornwall School.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D001155:Art Therapy; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D000066908:Simulation Training; D012984:Software; D000076142:Virtual Reality; D055815:Young Adult