Feedback for young subjects

This is not a new topic, but one which still seems unresolved. One of the discussions which we had with both the focus group and advisory board is the nature of feedback -- that is the type of reinforcement(s) that will work for system users (i.e., subjects). We are particularly concerned about young visually impaired travelers who may not readily understand that a particular stimulus is meant to be a positive indication of cane behavior. Parents and specialists indicated that some users may respond with behaviors that elicit any type of stim. Bells, chime, and pleasant sounds have been suggested. Spoken messages have been suggested, as well as vibratory output.

We have participants with many years of experience with younger travelers. I am wondering if blog participants can discuss from their experiences what kind of reinforcements makes the most sense. We are still not certain of the exact capacity if the wii output for feedback, but we should consider all options right now.

jan 21 meeting

Reflecting on our discussion during the meeting, here are my thoughts:

1. Type of feedback (auditory or vibratory):
Since there is no established literature as to what type of feedback is better,
will it be possible to record data in which some kids are given audio feedback
and a few other kids that are given vibratory feedback (in case this feedback
modality is going to be considered). In that way, we can avoid the issue of
learning if the same kids wherein they will end of doing more trails when the
same kids are trained using both types of feedback. By doing few kids with
audio feedback and few other kids with vibratory feedback, it will provide you
with a means of comparing which one is better.

2. Follow-up data recording
It is a must for a project of this nature. But it may be too premature to do it
right now. The first thing (step-1) to do is to establish 'proof-of-concept'
(this was the thought I had when I mentioned about feasibility testing) i.e.
demonstrate that the concept will perform comparable or better than the current
practice - i.e. it measures the same variables or more that give a better
quantification of assessing the training (outcome measures) given with the
WiiCane and that it provides more detailed information pertinent to training
aspects e.g. allows more detailed measurements (what measurements), provides a
training report at the end of each walking trial (### deviations or veering,
initial posture, final posture, time taken to finish, number of times feedback
was given, difference between the initial and final measurements to reflect +ve
ot -ve change, etc)

This step will help to establish what parameters need to be measured and is the
WiiCane a more descriptive and informative training modality as compared to the
normal cane training.

Once the proof-of-concept is established then it will be easier to build a case
to show that it provides better training. Then, step-2 will be to do record
data in follow-up sessions (some kids with WiiCane and some kids with the
normal training) and seeing how long it takes to learn the skill and how well
do they learn the skill etc.

For now, these are my thoughts.

Wii Remote camera frame rate

During the advisory board call, someone asked what the frame rate is for the Wii Remote. The sensor used isn't particularly well-documented, but there's some agreement that it runs around 100 frames per second, maximum (see Johnny Chung Lee et al.)

radio interview on cbs

I was interviewed recently by a guy from CBS radio about WiiCane. You can hear the interview here.  I'm afraid my language is somewhat imprecise and rambling at places. 

steve

children, motor learning, and feedback effect

I thought participants might want to look at this.

Sullivan, K. J., Kantak, S. S., & Burtner, P. A. (2008). Motor learning in children: Feedback effects on skill acquisition. Physical Therapy, 88(6), 720-732.

Discussion and Conclusions. During motor learning, children use feedback in a manner different from that of adults. To optimize motor learning, children may require longer periods of practice, with feedback reduced more gradually, compared with young adults.

Click here to go to the article: link

Guth veering chapter (warning: copyright)

Hello participants. If you would like to read the chapter kindly provided by Dave Guth at WMU on veering and instruction/feedback, please click here: link

Please note that we can assume this is copyrighted material, so while I believe it is okay for us to read it, I would ask we not copy or pass the document to anyone else, and quote it in legal ways only.

Thanks,
Gene

Focus group report

A focus group was held at Touch Graphics office in New York City on January 13, 2009. To read a report that documents this event, please click on either pdf format or txt format. 

question about multiple, overlaying feedback conditions

I am starting to become focused on the question of how to study individual parameters of cane travel using our apparatus, and how (or whether) this can all be brought together into a wholistic picture of the trainee's behavior and adherence to classic 2-point touch technique. It seems to me, and we will know more about this as Zach continues his inquiry, that we will always be studying only one parameter at a time.  so, we would not be able to set up the apparatus to look at, say, both arc width and wrist isolation simultaneously, because, 1, it is not possible to simultaneously be carrying out multiple real-time calculations necessary, and, 2, because there is no practical way for a user to process feedback about two different features of cane use at the same time.  It's hard to imagine most people understanding, for example that two  different beeps mean they are swinging too wide left or right, while a vibration would mean that they were not immobilizing their wrist.  this is especially hard to imagine being at all effective in young children.  On the other hand, I can picture a system working that uses verbal coaching to do this: "veering left", "widen arc left", "try to keep the cane from rising so high off the ground", whatever statements are the most effective in actual training. 

Please contribute to this blog...

Hi, Gene and I set up this blog so that everyone participating in this project can follow our progress, make observations and requests, and review documents that come out of the research. We also hope to link this to other relevant projects being carried out at other locations, so please feel free to post about things going on in the field, even if they are not directly related to this project. 

Welcome to the WiiCane blog, a forum for the advisory board to exchange information about the project.