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SIGCSE
2008
ACM

Inspiring blind high school students to pursue computer science with instant messaging chatbots

14 years 11 days ago
Inspiring blind high school students to pursue computer science with instant messaging chatbots
Blind students are an underrepresented group in computer science. In this paper, we describe our experience preparing and leading the computer science track at the National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam. As part of this workshop, fifteen blind high school students created and personalized instant messaging chatbots, a project designed to be completely accessible to blind students. Chatbots enable students to infuse their own personalities into a sociallyoriented program that incorporates ideas from artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and web services. We first outline the chatbots project and curriculum, which has wide appeal for all students, and then offer general design principles used to create it that can help ensure the accessibility of future projects. Students created their chatbots using a real programming language and were guided by both blind and sighted mentors. By programming from the start in a supportive environment, our students will gain the con...
Jeffrey P. Bigham, Maxwell B. Aller, Jeremy T. Bru
Added 15 Dec 2010
Updated 15 Dec 2010
Type Journal
Year 2008
Where SIGCSE
Authors Jeffrey P. Bigham, Maxwell B. Aller, Jeremy T. Brudvik, Jessica O. Leung, Lindsay A. Yazzolino, Richard E. Ladner
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