Development of multimedia system for learning braille music and educational significance in its use

本文介绍了以喜悦和兴趣盲人为对象的盲人盲文多媒体学习系统的开发，并讨论了该系统作为盲文教学工具的意义。该系统由开发的软件、个人计算机系统、盲文针式显示器、盲文打印机和音响设备组成。该系统的特点是：1.在计算机CRT显示器上，通过鼠标操作，可以很容易地将墨迹写成的音符和符号放在手写符号上。CRT显示屏上的音符和符号在计算机上翻译成盲文音乐，操作方便。因此，即使是一个不知道盲文音乐复杂规则的人，也能够很容易地将墨迹写成的音乐翻译成盲文音乐。这种舒适性导致了与翻译相关的积极的社会公益活动。2.在课堂上，教师可以根据学生的知识水平和所要求的课程内容输入音符或符号。学生能够通过手指触摸阅读翻译后的盲文音乐，通过点击CRT显示器上的按钮在大头针显示器上呈现出来。然后，课程的灵活性就会得到预期。3.视力有障碍的系统用户能够听由计算机中准备的电子乐器(乐器的选择是可选的)演奏的各种音乐。同时，在大头针显示器上播放盲文音乐。然后，用户可以通过声音(音乐表演)和盲文音乐这两种媒介学习音乐。显然，与传统的盲文课程相比，使用该系统学习的学生能够轻松、愉快地学习盲文音乐，并具有良好的动机。说明了该系统的多媒体功能发挥了重要作用。

This report deals with the development of a multimedia system to aid the blind learning braille music with joy and interest, and the significance of the system as a teaching tool is discussed. The system is composed of software developed here, a personal computer system, a braille pin-display, a braille printer and audio instruments.Features of the system are as follows : 1. On a computer CRT display, ink-written musical notes and symbols are easily put on the staff notation by mouse operation. The notes and symbols on the CRT display are translated into braille music on a computer with easy operation. Therefore, even a person who does not know complicated rules about braille music is able to translate an ink-written music into braille music easily. This ease leads to the active social welfare activities concerned with the translation. 2. In a class, a teacher is able to input a musical note or a symbol according to the student's level of knowledge and the content of the lesson required at the moment. The student is able to read the translated braille music by finger touch, that was presented on a pin-display by clicking a button on the CRT display. Then, the flexibility of the lesson will be expected. 3. The system user, who has a handicap in sight, is able to listen to various music performed by electronic musical instruments (the selection of instruments is optional) prepared in the computer. Simultaneously, the braille music is presented on the pin-display. Then, the user is able to learn the music by both media, sound (musical performance) and braille music.It became clear that students learned with the system were able to learn braille music easily, pleasantly, and well motivated in comparison with a conventional lesson by a sheet in braille. It is suggested that the multimedia of this system plays an important role.