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October 13, 2008 10:12:30 AM CDT

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Digital Tutors May Edge Out Real Thing

Posted Feb 22, 08 3:33 AM CST in Technology 

(Newser) – The best education available these days may be a virtual one, scientists are finding. Today´s digital educators can teach anything from social to language skills—and don't get tired, bored or irritable, LiveScience reports. The programs are a perfect match for autistic kids, who often find face-to-face interactions overwhelming.

One scientist has developed a cartoon "virtual child" to teach autistic kids how to better interact with playmates when sharing toys. Another area where virtual learning appears to excel is in foreign language acquisition and improving language skills. One new program shows viewers exactly where to place their tongue to get the sounds right. Such digital tutors "can be less intimidating because students don't feel shy about making mistakes," said the inventor.

Source LiveScience

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Digital tutors help kids learn social and language skills.   (Shutterstock)
Virtual teachers help autistic children learn better than the real thing.   (Shutterstock)
Education is no longer restricted to the classroom.   (Shutterstock)
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science  • education  • autism  • virtual reality


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