Digital Games for Children with Intellectual Disabilities (CWID): An Exploratory study on Prerequisites

Abstract

In recent days, the Game Based Learning (GBL) strategy has gained a significant attention, due to its enormous benefits to the users. Also, it provides an efficient platform for the learners to improve their educational skills, practical skills, learning skills etc. Among other types of games, the digital gaming platforms are more suitable for the intellectual disabled students to improve their skills and understanding capability. In the existing works, the different types of research works are carried out in this domain, which are mainly focused on improving the skill set of students with intellectual disability. The purpose of this work is to conduct a detailed study for analyzing the type of gadgets, and game elements required for the Children with Intellectual Disability (CWID). Also, it intends to explore the different types of available digital games associated to the instructional requirements. The present study is conducted with a closed ended questionnaire on a sample of 60 special educators, who handling the children having an intellectual disability. The quantitative result of this study suggests that the digital games can be accessed by the different types of gadgets with all gaming elements. Moreover, the four different types of digital games are available for CWID, which includes Drill & Practice, Interactive Storytelling, Simulation, and Role Playing. This study can be more helpful for the educators to improve the learning ability of children with intellectual disabilities.