The Handheld Signing Math & Science Dictionaries for Deaf
and Hard of Hearing Museum Visitors Research Project

TERC and the Museum of Science (MoS) are studying the integration—into MoS’s Take a Closer Look and Science in the Park exhibits—of iPod Touch versions of three successful innovations: the Signing Science Picture Dictionary (SSP) for grades K-4/children ages 5-8 who are deaf or hard of hearing and whose first language is sign; the Signing Science Dictionary (SSD) for a similar audience in grades 5-8/ages 9-12+; and the Signing Math Dictionary (SMD) for grades K-8/ages 5-12+. This 3-year project is employing a mixed-methods design to research how two audiences use the dictionaries to access science content during visits to the exhibits. One audience is family visitors ages 5-12+ who are deaf or hard of hearing; one audience is classroom visitors in grades K-8+ who are deaf or hard of hearing. The partners will also begin to establish the kinds of learning gains that are possible.

Publications and Reports
Pilot Test Video Clips
Field Test Video Clips