DigiTAAL – Games-based learning in speech and language therapy
Dr Ellen Gerrits, professor Language, Speech and Hearing Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Utrecht
University
chair research group Speech and Language Therapy, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
Marjan ter Harmsel, junior researcher, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
Johanna Schulting, junior researcher, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht
Speech and language therapists (SLT) notice that tablet games are appealing devices for young children.
However, there are differing opinions on whether gaming in language therapy has a positive effect on
language development of pre-school children with specific language impairment (SLI). Supporting claims
address the motivation of children and the positive effects on engagement, concentration and attention,
which are relevant considering the relatively long period of language therapy for children affected by SLI.
Opposing ideas focus on a possible lack of language interaction and turn-taking while playing with tablet
games.
The study DigiTAAL aims to investigate the usability of tablet games in language therapy and its effects on
language learning. It tackles three important and relevant bottlenecks with respect to the use of tablet
games in language therapy. First, we intend to answer the question, which games are suitable for language
therapy? For this goal, a reliable game selection checklist will be developed. The checklist will be used to
review games and these reviews will be available in an open source database for SLT’s and other
professionals. Secondly, we will investigate best practices in stimulating interaction and communication
between therapist and child while using tablet games in language therapy. As a result, there will be short
instruction videos and a practical guideline produced about gaming together. Thirdly, we will investigate if
children learn language by using tablet games in language therapy. From this, we will examine the effect of
language therapy with tablet games, versus language therapy with traditional play materials. This project is
funded by a NWO SIA RAAK Publiek grant. The study is a joint project of HU University of Applied Sciences
Utrecht, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, together with Royal Auris Group, Royal Kentalis,
NSDSK, Pento and the Dutch Association of Speech Language Therapy and Phoniatrics (NVLF).
Contact
Website: husite.nl/digitaal/
E-mail: [email protected]