DEAF and hearing-impaired students can learn about animals at Werribee Open Range Zoo thanks to the launch of new smartphone technology.
Australian Communication Exchange, Werribee zoo and Victorian Deaf Education have released a smartphone app that allows students to scan a code at each exhibit and see video content and education information in sign language and captions.
Teachers and tour guides can use a tablet device to offer extra information, set questions and exercises, monitor progress and interact with students directly through their mobile devices.
The world-first technology was rolled out with the help of a $40,000 state government grant to the Deaf Education Institute.
Environment Minister Ryan Smith and Education Minister Martin Dixon launched the mobile app last Wednesday.
“It will mean these children can experience all the wonders of the zoo alongside their classmates,” Mr Smith said. More than 150,000 students visit Melbourne’s zoos each year.
Mr Dixon said the app meant that for the first time deaf and hearing-impaired children would be able to experience excursions in sign language.
He said it was really important for them to be able to follow context, background and storytelling during excursions.
