The performance of mouse proficiency for adolescents with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Information and computer technology has grown rapidly and played an essential role in our education, vocation, and daily life. However, for students with intellectual disabilities, effective cursor control is challenged. The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance of mouse control of 10 adolescents with intellectual disabilities compared with their aged peer. A mouse proficiency assessment software was utilized to collect the data. The results indicated that the adolescents with intellectual disabilities who had mouse using experience do not perform as efficient as their peers without disabilities, although they could use the mouse with high accuracy rates. The adolescents with intellectual disabilities spend less reaction time, longer total time and movement time, larger ratio of PL/TA, more movement units to complete pointing and clicking tasks. The results provide essential reference for designers of computer assisted learning software when developing e-learning material for adolescents with intellectual disabilities. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.