USM CREATES ONLINE MALAY LANGUAGE BRAILLE TUTORIAL SYSTEM

GEORGE TOWN (Malaysia), March 3 (Bernama) -- A team of researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), a public university, has created an online Malay language tutorial system for braille practitioners.

USM School of Educational Studies head of research Assoc Prof Dr Lee Lay Wah said the system was equipped with Braille simulator to support braille teaching and learning at a cheaper price.

She said the world's first Braille online learning system comprised five stages, namely basic braille, abbreviated braille, braille signs, basic mathematical signs and braille text.

Known as eKodBraille, the system is more interactive and assist individual learning using features such as flash animation, Braille simulator, assessment guidance, braille games, virtual tutor, face help, online certification and learning databases, he told reporters here Wednesday.

She said the eKodBraille study, which started last year, was funded by the USM short-term grant totalling RM100,000 (US$1=RM3.04) and the innovation could be used in universities or by special education teachers.

"We are testing the Malay language braille system and wish to invite individuals who are interested to register as research samples before launching an online course free-of-charge to the public," he said.

The system can be accessed at http://ekodbraille.ses.usm.my.