Computational glossary in LIBRAS: an experience in undergraduate program of Information Systems

Abstract

The deaf have conquered rights in the area of education and, in recent years, with the increase of the enrollment of deaf people in higher education institutions, there is a need to develop new signs in Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS) for specific technical terms of several areas of knowledge and related to computing this scenario is no different. Motivated by the entrance of a deaf student in Information Systems undergraduate program of a Public Institution located in the south of Brazil, this work aims to elaborate technical signals of the Information System courses in LIBRAS and to develop a glossary with an interface adapted for the deaf. The construction of this repository of signs in LIBRAS is based on Vygotsky, who worked on defectology and emphasized the use of signs and symbols for the individual’s cognitive development. The deaf student used the glossary in the classroom, which allowed a better understanding of the contents presented. Pedagogical evaluation was performed through descriptive analysis and data collection using the intensive direct observation method and questionnaires. The computational glossary in deaf education presents the potential to develop the capacities that are deprived by the existing communication difficulties, allowing interaction between deaf students, teachers and interpreters.