Development of collaborative virtual learning environments for enhancing deaf people’s learning in Jordan

Abstract

In this research, we aim to address the problem of combining the benefits of using eLearning environments and let students work together in groups in a collaborative virtual learning environments. In this paper, we explain the development of an establishment of a collaborative model for deaf people to support collaborative learning. The created model is an extension of traditional collaborative learning models in class rooms; it allows multiple deaf students to work together in a virtual environment to discuss the learning materials, solve problems, transfer knowledge, etc. We start by extending the collaborative learning model, by introducing explicit roles for each member in the group. The model provides a social space for deaf people to communicate using sign language. Moreover, it is implemented in a collaborative virtual environment that provides different types of features to support learning over distance. It allows deaf students to communicate and share knowledge easily. Bilingual chatting (text and sign language), video conference, and avatar feature are the main three features in the proposed model.