Welcome to The NSF Avatar & Robotics
Signing Creatures Workshop!
November 15-16, 2013 - Gallaudet University - Washington, D.C.
Hosted by Visual Language & Visual Learning (VL2), a NSF Science of Learning Center
and Petitto Brain & Language Laboratory for Neuroimaging (BL2)
Using innovations from research in visual signed languages to advance avatar and robotics technology products especially aimed at enriching the lives of all children, all visual learners, inclusive of the young deaf visual learner.
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Workshop attendance is by invitation only, but please come to the Knowledge Explosion event, 11/15 at 9:30 in Foster Auditorium.
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Knowledge Explosion
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Why This Workshop? A History:The science of learning clearly tells us: more equals more. More language means more vocabulary, more ways to communicate, more ways to be together, to connect, to grow together, more laughter. More readiness for school, more readiness for reading, more resources, more access.
VL2 research has shown that early sign exposure provides higher cognitive advantages, improves language mastery in English and ASL, and makes for better English readers. At the same time, recent advances in technology, including both advanced university research as well as consumer-level technology have the potential to address the compelling needs of all children, allvisual learners. Imagine signing robotic dolls, avatars in ebooks that tell stories, or infant products engaging in ASL rhyming. While much of the requisite scientific and engineering knowledge exists in order to create these products and applications, this knowledge is dispersed among several distinct research communities. No one person or institution has a complete picture of the linguistics of signed language communication, the most effective teaching methods for optimal neural development, and the capabilities of robot and virtual human technologies in sign language production, recognition, and interaction. To address this knowledge gap, the NSF Avatar & Robotics Signing Creatures Workshop has these goals:
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Masthead photos from left to right: (1) Dr. Paul Oh (2) IRS YouTube video (3) VL2's Parent Information Package (4) VCom3D