A BAHRAINI video game developer is creating new education opportunities for those with learning difficulties.
Ameen Al Tajer makes computer games and mobile applications that focus on interactive and immersive teaching methods.
The Infiniteware managing director has showcased his “gamification” concept at the Conference for Assistive Technology, which is underway at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention and Spa.
“Getting content relevant to education is really hard because it’s very static and it’s not really attractive, so this is where gamification comes into play,” explained Mr Al Tajer, who spoke at the conference yesterday.
“We create content based on those knowledge bases and put it in an interactive medium.
“Gaming can be used to teach people new concepts and fundamentals.
“We try to shed light on multiple causes through the medium. It’s valid and been proven to work over the years.
“Gaming allows people to be connected to their peers, so they don’t feel disconnected with online gaming or even within the same living room.
“Being connected on that mental level aids a lot in healing.”
He explained the approach focused on making non-game applications more fun and interactive.
Meanwhile, he said the emergence of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) offered new opportunities for the way people are taught – particularly those with physical disabilities who may find it difficult to leave the house.
“Virtual Reality (VR) is a really powerful tool in the medium, being able to completely immerse yourself in a virtual world gives people a new spectrum of experiences that they have never felt before,” he said.
“Augmented Reality (AR) can be used to bring things out of the virtual world into the comfort of the living room.
“When you put on the HoloLens (Microsoft’s AR device) you can have this virtual classroom, within the comfort of the living room.
“You can see your classmates and your tutor.
“The barrier between the virtual world and the real world is getting smaller each day.”
The conference, under the slogan #Tech_No_Disability, is being held under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sport first deputy chairman and Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation honorary president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
“We are delighted to launch the international Tech_No_Disability conference and exhibition to identify innovative solutions and methods for people with disabilities, which is part of our initiatives to support people with determination through scientific and humanitarian endeavours on the occasion of International Day of Disabled Persons,” Shaikh Khalid told delegates yesterday.
“The goal is to enable people with disabilities through modern technology that can support them in living more positive and efficient lives in society.
“We are always keen to launch initiatives that are capable of developing the abilities and capabilities of people with disabilities, including strengthening their integration and contributing to encouraging them to participate in the development process in the kingdom.”
More than 200 people from 18 countries have gathered for the three-day event, which was launched on Sunday. It also features an exhibition where tech companies and start-ups are showcasing devices and apps designed to make life easier for the disabled.
Topics include how the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data can be used to help people with disabilities, as well as wearable devices and technologies. That includes the use of 3D printing to create artificial limbs for amputees.
“The goal of the conference is to remove the negative side effects of being disabled,” said event organiser and Bahrain University college of information technology department of information systems assistant professor Dr Maan Mubarak Al Jawder.
“We also want to bring together all people involved in this field, such as disabled people, parents, specialist centres and companies that produce things to help people with disabilities.
“We want to bring all these people together so they can see where we are in terms of technology and what they can use to improve things for people with disabilities.”
ghazi@gdn.com.bh
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