2024 ASL Digital Avatar Study Recruiting Survey

Pearson is recruiting participants for a student user study. As part of Pearson’s research agenda centered on accessibility for deaf students, a study is being conducted to help assess whether signed content delivered by AI generated digital human avatars is an equitable offering when compared with signed content produced by trained human signers. In this study, videos containing American Sign Language (ASL) by both traditional human signers and AI generated “digital human” avatar signers will be presented to students. Students will be asked to provide feedback and make comparisons on user acceptance and experience, perceived accuracy, and their opinions on communication effectiveness of both types of ASL video. This study is being proposed as an initial small-scale analysis to inform possible next steps and directions for continuing research.

We are looking for a variety of students who are taking grade level course work in grades six through twelve and are using ASL as their primary language. Student selection for the study is limited and will be based on the need to address such things as geographic diversity, school settings, and other student characteristics. If selected, students will participate in a user study over Zoom. These study sessions will be recorded and will take no more than 60 minutes. Students will be compensated for study participation via a $50 Amazon gift card. All students under the age of 18 who participate in the user study will require a signed consent from their parent or guardian. Pearson will work with parents and/or teachers to schedule the Zoom study at a convenient time.

To be considered as a potential study participant, please provide the following information so that we may provide further details.

Please note: For participation, a parent/guardian or teacher is required to be available to help login to the Zoom session and log into the TestNav website to access the videos. If your child’s school has agreed to participate in this study, we will work with your child’s teacher to schedule the time of the study and ensure a teacher can be available to do this. If your child’s school is not participating in this study, we will work with parents to find a convenient time outside of the school day to schedule the study session.

Your information

2) First Name (required)

3) Last Name (required)

4) Email address (required)

5) Phone number (required)

6) First and last name of the student who will participate in the study (required)

6) If your school is not participating in this study, will you have access to a computer with internet access to join the Zoom study and log into the test website? (required)

Yes

7) Name of the school where you are attending this year. (required)

8) Type of school you are attending this year. (required)

School for the Deaf

Local public school

Private school

Home school

9) Name of the state where you live. (required) 10) Name of the state where the student lives (required)

10) You grade level this year. (required)

11) How would you best describe your hearing status? (required)

Deaf

Hard of Hearing

Hearing but uses sign language for other reasons

12) At what age did you start learning ASL? (required)

13) How would you rate your level of using ASL on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being just starting to learn, and 5 being an expert signer? (required)

14) How would you rate your level of reading English on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being just starting to learn, and 5 being an expert reader? (required)

15) Please list some of the signing access technology tools and methods you commonly use to take tests at school. (required) 16) Please list some of the signing access technology tools and methods the student commonly uses to take tests at school. (required)

16) Is there any other information you would like for us to know regarding your experience with sign language? 17) Is there any other information you would like for us to know regarding the student's experience with sign language?