THE EFFECTS OF APPLYING GAME-BASED LEARNING TO WEBCAM MOTION SENSOR GAMES FOR AUTISTIC STUDENTS' SENSORY INTEGRATION TRAINING

This study aims to explore the effects of applying game-based learning to webcam motion sensor games for autistic students’ sensory integration training for autistic students. The research participants were three autistic students aged from six to ten. Webcam camera as the research tool wad connected internet games to engage in motion sensor games. Through the motion sensor games, the researchers were able to collect data from physiological monitoring, observation (including sensory integration observation and process observation), and interviews. The findings of the study reveal that: (1) the teacher and the participants possess positive attitude toward applying webcam motion sensor games to sensory integration training; (2) Webcam motion sensor games can enhance autistic students’ learning interest; and (3) applying the game-based learning to webcam motion sensor games can improve the effect of autistic students’ muscle training and endurance. 1. RESEARCH MOTIVES AND PURPOSES According to the Ministry of Interior (2011), the census data on the numbers of physical or mentally disabled people show that there were 11,211 autistic patients in Taiwan, and the autism was in second place (4,118 people) among 6 to 11 year old students with physical and mental disabilities. Since autistic patients have difficulty in interpersonal interaction, some people call them “star students.” Up-to-date, there is no single method that can fully cure autistic students. In traditional training methods, many game methods are carried out by teachers in individual instruction, learners still cannot actively participate in learning, resulting in shortened learning time, lowered learning intentions, insufficient training obtained by learners, and poor levels of accommodation. Also, current developed methods include drugs, educational therapy, art therapy, and associated new supportive methods of treatments. Among them, the sensory integration training is a very important method of learning in educational therapy. Yu (2006) proposed that the sensory integration training can make up for the shortcomings of brain function, enhance the coordination between senses and perceptions, improve the physical growth and development, and establish the foundation for abilities needed in later social life, which allows autistic patients to exercise and engage in limb training, elicit vestibular sensation, tactile senses, and stimulation to the individual, achieving the purpose of coordinated development of feelings and perceptions. Additionally, recent development in advanced technology has led information technology to produce support systems, so that training methods have become more diverse. Also, rapid development in human-machine interfaces has produced many new products, such as touchscreens, voice-controlled systems, eyeball tracking systems, and so on. Among them, the motion sensor games, such as wii and kinect have also been developed to make human-machine interfaces highly popular. The concept of game-based learning has constantly been