Abstract

SANTAROSA, Lucila Maria Costi  and  CONFORTO, Débora. MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES IN EDUCATION AND DIGITAL INCLUSION OF STUDENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS. Rev. bras. educ. espec. [online]. 2015, vol.21, n.4, pp.349-366. ISSN 1980-5470.  https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-65382115000400003.

Focused on inclusive public policies, the relationship between students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and mobile devices was examined in order to discuss the limits and possibilities of the technological configuration 1:1 for supporting education and digital inclusion programs in Brazilian public schools. Methodologically, this was a qualitative research, with exploratory and explanatory approaches. Epistemologically, the study was supported by the socio-historic theory and guided by two major questions: (i) Do mobile devices have accessible interfaces for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders? (ii) What movements were triggered by the mediation of mobile devices for enhancing the socio-digital inclusion of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders? From the collected data, we could observe frailties and potential for interaction for the three research subjects. The participants were attending the first years of Elementary School, during literacy process with the use of mobile devices. We concluded that the subjects' resistance towards the educational laptop can be justified by accessibility problems associated to the mobile device, many of which increased by the specificities of Autism Spectrum Disorders: poor user-friendly interface, difficult to understand due to the level of abstraction, and complex operational system, with its multiple choices and configurations. The interaction with the tablet showed a more friendly and intuitive use, as handling the object occurs more directly and naturally with fingers touching the screen. The architecture of this technology allows the use in different places and positions, a positive response to hyperactivity as well as qualifying strategies for pedagogical mediations.

Keywords : Special Education; Empowerment; Social Inclusion Policy; Informatics and education; Autism.

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