A study on the design and evaluation of an adaptive web browser for students with reading difficulties

Web-based learning has become an important channel for education improvement. However, children with reading difficulties, including the mental retardation and learning disabilities, have difficulties with word decoding and comprehension. To learn from the Internet, they are facing two challenges in manipulating a browser to read through the web and comprehending the contents on the web pages. The adaptive web browser (AWB) in our design, integrating the technologies of HTML interpreter, text-to-speech engine and picture communication symbols (PCS), facilitates comprehending the contents on web pages with auxiliary speaking sound or picture produced automatically as needed. In examining its usability, the result indicates that the adaptive web browser can help the students with reading difficulties facilitate access to the web and increase comprehension of contents on the web pages.