Designing “Najeeb”: Technology-Enhanced Learning For Children With Impaired Hearing Using Arabic Sign-Language ArSL Applications

Technology is increasingly being used to motivate learning. Deaf children in the Arab-speaking world traditionally face challenges in acquiring basic skills and encounter difficulties particular to their abilities. Their inclusion in regular schooling contexts in our education system places much responsibility for their success on the support of educators and caregivers designated to provide them with the assistance they need. Technology enhanced learning has the potential for generating meaningful learning experiences for children to develop their cognitive, social and literacy skills. In this paper, we describe the design and development of an iOS application that provides an opportunity to children with impaired hearing, ages 7-12, to learn about basic Islamic tenets like ablution (Wudu), daily prayer (Salah), and supplication (Athkar) using the Arabic Sign Language (ArSL).