Is it possible to make dynamic one-switch video games for children with severe motor disabilities?
Being able to play games in early years is very
important for the development of children. Even though, children with physical disabilities encounter several obstacles that exclude them from engaging in many popular games. In particular, children with severe motor disabilities that rely on one-switch interfaces for accessing electronic devices find dynamic video games completely unplayable. We present GNomon: a framework, based
on the NOMON interaction modality, that enables the creation of dynamic one-switch games for children with severe motor disabilities. The framework was designed in close collaboration with a team of speech therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists from one of the
Local Health Agencies in Turin, Italy.
4. GNomon
CONTEXT
Play is the leading source of development in
the early years.
Two forms of play: open-ended and
structured play (Games).
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5. GNomon
CONTEXT
Play is the leading source of development in
the early years.
Two forms of play: open-ended and
structured play (Games).
Video Games are unique thanks to their
interactiveness.
2
6. GNomon
CONTEXT
Play is the leading source of development in
the early years.
Two forms of play: open-ended and
structured play (Games).
Video Games are unique thanks to their
interactiveness.
2
8. GNomon
PROBLEM
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Children with sensorial, cognitive or motor disabilities cannot
use standard input/output devices to play video games.
Children with severe motor disabilities that rely on One-
Switch interaction for accessing electronic devices.
9. GNomon
PROBLEM
3
Children with sensorial, cognitive or motor disabilities cannot
use standard input/output devices to play video games.
Children with severe motor disabilities that rely on One-
Switch interaction for accessing electronic devices.
10. GNomon
PROBLEM
3
Children with sensorial, cognitive or motor disabilities cannot
use standard input/output devices to play video games.
Children with severe motor disabilities that rely on One-
Switch interaction for accessing electronic devices.
These children are EXCLUDED from playing dynamic video
games, as those played by their peers without disabilities.
15. GNomon 5
Timely responses
Highly interactive
Moving elements
Time-Independent interaction
Limited interaction
Stationary elements
DYNAMIC vs SCANNING
16. GNomon
Timely responses
Highly interactive
Moving elements
5
Time-Independent interaction
Limited interaction
Stationary elements
DYNAMIC vs SCANNING
17. GNomon
RESEARCH QUESTION
Is it possible to make dynamic
one-switch video games,
without scanning, but playable
by children with severe motor
disabilities
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19. GNomon
GNomon
A framework that enables the creation of
dynamic one-switch video games.
Based on the NOMON mode of interaction.
Provides functionalities to support
common dynamic game actions.
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22. GNomon
HOW GNomon WORKS? (2)
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A clock is associated to
each selectable element
Same rotation speed
Different phase
23. GNomon
HOW GNomon WORKS? (3)
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A clock is associated to
each selectable element
Same rotation speed
Different phase
Probability of being the
selection is calculated for
each clock
24. GNomon
HOW GNomon WORKS? (4)
8
A clock is associated to
each selectable element
Same rotation speed
Different phase
Probability of being the
selection is calculated for
each clock
Selection occurs if
probability reaches a
threshold
25. GNomon
HOW GNomon WORKS?
8
A clock is associated to
each selectable element
Same rotation speed
Different phase
Probability of being the
selection is calculated for
each clock
Selection occurs if
probability reaches a
threshold
27. GNomon
GNomon ACCESSIBILITY
GNomon was designed in close
collaboration with a team of expert
speech therapists, physiotherapists and
psychologists.
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BEFORE
AFTER
28. GNomon
GNomon ACCESSIBILITY
GNomon was designed in close
collaboration with a team of expert
speech therapists, physiotherapists and
psychologists.
Indicators for facilitating interaction
Eye-catching design
Auditory and visual feedback
BEFORE
AFTER
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29. GNomon
THE GAMES
Three mini-games were made to evaluate
the playability of dynamic One-Switch
games based on GNomon:
One Switch Demo
One Switch Ladybugs
One Switch Invaders
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35. GNomon
EVALUATION
The playability of dynamic video games based
on GNomon was evaluated by assessing:
Learnability
Effectiveness
Errors
Satisfaction
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36. GNomon
EVALUATION
The playability of dynamic video games based
on GNomon was evaluated by assessing:
Learnability
Effectiveness
Errors
Satisfaction
Memorability
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53. GNomon
RESULTS
Average session duration: 13 min
All the 8 children had fun while they were
playing
All the children understood the interface
3 participans were able to play satisfactorily
One Switch Invaders
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55. GNomon
CONCLUSION
Dynamic One-Switch video games based on GNomon are
playable by children with severe motor disabilities:
Learnability: two selection, in average, for learning the
mechanism
Effectiveness: the GNomon interface allowed them to play
and achieve the mini games goals
Errors: errors decreased with practice (within the same
test)
Satisfaction: All the children liked the games while they
were playing
Memorability: All the children remembered the games and
the interface mechanism
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56. GNomon
CONCLUSION
Dynamic One-Switch video games based on GNomon are
playable by children with severe motor disabilities:
Learnability: two selections, in average, for learning the
mechanism
Effectiveness: the GNomon interface allowed them to play
and achieve the mini games goals
Errors: errors decreased with practice
Satisfaction: all the children liked the games while they
were playing
Memorability: all the children remembered the games and
the interface mechanism
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