Soares, Crislane dos Santos; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7883-7976; http://lattes.cnpq.br/6914257576875365
Resumo:
In the field of Digital Information and Communication Technologies (DICT), many
advances have been achieved. One example is the creation of free software that
can be used as Assistive Technology (AT) by people with disabilities. Within the AT
classification, we can find Digital Assistive Technology (TAD), which can be defined
as products related to digital or electronic media, computing, telecommunications,
and multimedia. Thus, the general objective of this study is to analyze the potential
use of TAD software in a Specialized Educational Assistance Center (AEE) for
people with visual impairment (CAEEDV) in the city of Salvador, Bahia. As a
methodology, a case study was carried out, in which data collection instruments
were established, the observation of the functioning of the AT software, as well as
the use of the software by the students. Interviews were also conducted with a
teacher, two students who participated in the AEE at the Specialized Service Center
and their guardians about their impressions about the functionality and potential of
these programs. Furthermore, an observation protocol was constructed, used before
and after the introduction of the software in the routine of the students' care. To
analyze the data of this study, data analysis and the content analysis technique were
used, and with regard to the content raised by the research, data triangulation was
used. The study culminated in the categorization and analysis of the data obtained
in the interviews, identifying nine main categories and their respective
subcategories. Pre-tests and post-tests were also carried out based on the
observation protocol as a structuring methodological step. The results indicated that
the use of free Assistive Technology (AT) software enhanced and guaranteed
accessibility to the proposed activities. The software enables the reading and
location of information on the computer screen, while under the pedagogical
guidance of the teacher, it also guided the development of skills in the area of
Information and Communication Technologies. Based on the information collected
and analyzed through observations and document analysis, a list of strategies was
drawn up aimed at promoting the use of AT software in educational environments.
The analysis of this context concluded that the teacher and his/her way of mediating
is essential for the teaching and learning processes to occur in a meaningful way
and for the student to find fertile ground for development. The student as a subject
who teaches, learns and resignifies knowledge is also essential in this place of
construction, just as those responsible for them currently participate in the
construction of these students as subjects, also helping them. Another important fact
is that although they do not yet use the software in regular school, the students
realize that having learned to use the software, as well as having developed skills
from using the computer, will help them in the short and long term.
