Analyzing the Use of C-Print Mobile Technology in STEM Lab Settings across

Multiple Postsecondary Sites Michael Stinson & Lisa Elliot

National Technical Institute for the DeafRochester Institute of Technology

NSF JAM, June 7, 2011

Challenges

• Traditional classroom captioning services provided on a laptop in laboratory settings:– May result in deaf students missing essential

information– Are cumbersome because it is difficult to carry and

read an open laptop while moving around the laboratory

– Take up too much space in work area

Goals

• Expand the venues in which the classroom captioning service (with C-Print mobile) is used from RIT to several other postsecondary settings

• Evaluate the extent to which the service aids students’ access and learning in STEM labs

Deaf Students Using C-Print Mobile in Molecular Biology Lab at RIT

Caption Transmission with C-Print Mobile

Devices Students use to View Text with C-Print Mobile

Devices Being Used

• Nook Color• Dell Streak• Apple iPad• Galaxy Tab• Droid X

ParticipantsMobile Device Group (n=26*) Control Group (n=7*)

Advanced Computational Techniques (n=1) (1 withdrawal)

Anatomy & Physiology (n=2)

Anatomy & Physiology (n=1) Circuit Theory (n=1)

Biology (n=4) Geoscience (n=1)

Comparative Animal Physiology (n=1) Microbiology (n=1)

Developmental Biology (n=2) Transportation Engineering (n=1)

Introduction to Digital Systems (n=1) University Physics (n=1)

Molecular Biology (n=9)

Network Fundamentals (n=3)

Organic Chemistry (n=2)

Quantitative Chemistry Analysis (n=1)

Zoology Survey (n=1)

*N based on end of marking period questionnaires; complete data not yet available.

Participants

• Gender– Mobile group: Female (n=19); Male (n=10-1

withdrawal)– Control group: Female (n=4); Male (n=4)

• Age– Mobile group: 17-21 (n=20); 22-46+ (n=9)– Control group: 17-21 (n=5); 22-25 (n=3)

• Disability—all D/HH (7 w/secondary disability- e.g. visual impairment)

Participants

• Schools: – Rochester Institute of Technology (n=31)– Louisiana Institute of Technology (n=1) – Tulsa Community College (n=1)– University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (n=4)

• Total n= 37

Benefits• Size

– It is small and does not take up space that is needed for lab work.– The best thing was the phone doesn't take up all of the work space which we need for our

labs. It is small and easy to carry and easy to read!

• Portability – I was able to carry it around the lab with me, to hold it in my hand while the instructor is

talking, and was able to scroll up and down to see what was previously said. – The best thing about using C-print on the mobile device is that I can carry the device with me

when my instructor is in the front of the classroom, not near my lab table, whenever I need a question.

• Usability– It was easy to carry around if I needed to, and easy to connect! I could connect it myself and

not have to wait for the captionist to stop typing and then connect—less missed information. – It was easy to read, especially white on black makes it easier. The print was big enough for me

to sit back and read.

Benefits: If I Could Use C-Print in My Other Labs, It Would Help Me Complete My Major

Agree/Strongly Agree Undecided Disagree/Strongly Disagree0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

C-Print Mobile (n=26)C-Print Laptop (n=7)

Helpfulnesss in Completing Major

Perc

ent A

gree

men

t

Benefits: Using C-Print Helps Me Feel Confident that I Can Succeed in This Class

Agree/Strongly Agree

Undecided Disagree/Strongly Disagree

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

C-Print Mobile (n=26)C-Print Laptop (n=7)

Use of C-Print Helps with Confidence

Perc

ent A

gree

men

t

Benefits: How Much of the Laboratory Instructor’sComments Did You Understand Using C-Print?

90-100% 80-90% 70-80% 50-70% 40-50%0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

C-Print Mobile (n=26)C-Print Laptop (n=7)

Understanding of Lab Instructor

Perc

ent P

artic

ipan

ts R

espo

ndin

g

Benefits: How Easy was it for You to Participate in This Lab Compared to Other Labs?

More/Much more than

other classes

About the same as other classes

Less/Much less than other

classes

N/A-First lab class

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

C-Print Mobile (n=26)C-Print Laptop (n=7)

Ease of Participation in Labs

Perc

ent A

gree

men

t

Limitations & Challenges

• Small sample—but getting bigger.• Recruiting control participants• Connectivity issues• Training students & captionists to use

technology