Effects of gesture-based match-to-sample instruction via virtual reality technology for Chinese students with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

Effective strategies to address academic performance are critical to students with disabilities in inclusive settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using gesture-based instruction via Leap Motion-aided virtual reality (VR) technology to teach matching skills to school-aged students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in China. Three participants with ASD from general education schools participated in this study. A multiple probe design across participants was used. The results indicated that all participants acquired the target match-to-sample skills and maintained the acquired skills at a high level for up to 12 weeks. Results of this study provide important implications to special education and general education teachers working with students with ASD.

Keywords:

• computer-assisted instruction
• virtual reality technology
• gesture-based
• match-to-sample
• China
• autism spectrum disorders

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by 2019 Comprehensive Discipline Construction Fund of Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University.