Abstract:

All learners need to pay attention on what they are learning; and paying attention involves the sensory register of the learners (Ormrod, 2006). Many researchers have found that the inability for learners to perform well can be attributed to the inability of them in paying attention while performing tasks. Young children with inattention problems will find difficulty in concentrating on a task, do not finish what they start, do not listen and always lose things (Lerner, 2003). Children with special needs, especially those with Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are especially prone to lack of attention span and thus they are found to be off-task at most of the time during the process of learning. Other groups of learners who used to show lack of attention are such as children with autism, Down’s syndrome, dyslexia and slow learners. It is therefore particularly important for learners to be on-task whenever learning tasks are performed (Ormrod, 2003). The objectives of this research is to develop a courseware using visual auditory simulation technique (VASTech) that incorporates multimedia flash to systematically foster the attention for normal (3 – 6 years chronological) and special children (7 – 12 years chronological). This research adopts the pre-post non-equivalent control group design in a quasi experimental setting by using a visual audio simulation technique in promoting the on-task behaviour of 50 normal and special children. “On-task behavior” is shown when a child is engaged in or working on a specific task or activity. The frequency of on-task behaviour before and after the intervention will be recorded. The difference in the score of the task given before and after the intervention will determine the effectiveness of the courseware. By using VASTech, coupling with the systematic incremental approach in promoting children’s on-task ability, this study hopes to produce an educational and instructional support which can facilitate the fostering of children’s attention.