Using Conversation Analysis to Improve an Augmented Communication Tool

Abstract

An ALS (amyotrofic lateral sclerosis) patient could only move her eyes and interacted through a MyTobii AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) tool with eye-tracking and speech synthesizing technology. Conversation analysis of 75 minutes of video-recorded talk-in-interaction with her family members revealed a timing problem with turn taking. In response, we provided the tool with keys for direct yes and no answers. We tested the results with further recordings and in experimental settings and found that the new keys facilitated her responsiveness. Moreover, her interlocutors changed how they interacted with her. Data are in Dutch with English translation.

We want to thank our students who laid a basis for this research with their BA and MA theses: Esther du Pon, Jennifer Martens, Maurice Kusters, Karien Docter, Carola Ploegmakers, Joëlle van Rheeden, Ilse Viergever, Claire Teissiers, Floris Rood, Talissa Devriessiere, Floor Botden, and Judith van der Zande.

Notes

3. ¹The name is a pseudonym.

4. ²In addition, we added hot keys for the third-position repair initiation “that’s not what I meant” and for the farewell greeting “bye,” neither of which will be discussed in this article.