THE University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 unveiled and presented the E-learning software dubbed “U-Touch” to the Lister Mair Gilby School for the Deaf at a special ceremony held on the grounds of the school in St Andrew.

The groundbreaking U-Touch software has been developed by Associate Professor Paul Golding, dean of the College of Business and Management along with his team of researchers including other members of faculty and students.

The multimedia software uses Jamaican Sign Language and Standard English to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing students two basic components of grammar — prepositions and conjunctions, which are not currently used as part of their Jamaican sign language.

The software has been developed with the involvement of students and administrators at Lister Mair Gilby and other members of the deaf community, including the Jamaica Association for the Deaf.

Dr Golding explained to the gathering that the motivation behind the research was fuelled by a visit with colleagues in 2009 to the nieghbouring Lister Mair Gilby School for the Deaf.

His rapport with the students and administrators of the institution unearthed the finding that one of the major problems is the students’ lack of understanding of prepositions and conjunctions. This makes it very difficult for them to pass CSEC English, which is important for matriculation into further studies.

He noted that despite years of research and an attempt to incorporate English in the teaching methodology, deaf individuals do not understand the English Language as well as their hearing counterparts do.

Dr Golding explained that the software will assist deaf and hearing-impaired students to understand prepositions, which in turn will enhance their reading and comprehension skills. He noted that in this regard the software is far-reaching as it goes beyond Jamaica.

“What we are looking at is a framework for development,” he emphasised.

Chair of the Lister Mair Gilby School for the Deaf, Carole Fox in expressing gratitude to UTech, said the software will make a difference in the lives of the students at the institution.

“We are grateful for the interest in our school and the community at large, and applaud the team at UTech… we are hopeful that this is only the start of greater things to come in the field of deaf education from UTech, she said, adding that the deaf “share the same dreams, goals and aspirations as the hearing community”.