2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Roughly 3% of children experience speech delays or difficulties globally (The Kids Health Organization, 2022). A “speech delay” is defined as a child's speech or language development significantly communicative milestones based on phases of language development, language acquisition, and reading comprehension skills (Mayo Clinic, 2011; Piaget, 1971). Although speech delays are commonly rooted in neuronormative presumptions (Cherney, 2019), speech delays can have long-term impacts on children (Lyons & Roulstone, 2018; Sunderajan & Kanhere, 2019). Some children experience a lack of well-being, lack social skills, and struggle to develop meaningful relationships (Lyons & Roulstone, 2018). With the large importance of supporting students in interactive and engaging manners and the rise of expansive technology, AR AniMotion leverages advanced AR and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to create an engaging, immersive learning environment for children. Augmented reality, or AR, is a technology app that relates digital information to the real world through images, videos, and or 3D models to make an environment more visible and easier to manipulate. Therefore, this application supports closing the gap in implementing engaging technology to support positive long-term impacts on children with speech difficulties. This application was rooted in the literature highlighting how current speech therapy methods often involve repetitive exercises that may disengage young children over time. In addition, Other adopters of AR in the education sector have attested to benefits such as enhancing learners’ attentiveness, improving their performance, and facilitating interactivity and learning experiences (Billinghurst & Duenser, 2012; Bacca et al., 2014; Wu et al., 2013).
In developing AR AniMotion, the design was influenced by a comprehensive literature review, which underscored the importance of interactive learning tools for children with speech difficulties. Studies indicate that when children are provided with real-time feedback, it significantly improves their learning outcomes and motivates them to engage more actively in their education. With its ability to combine the real world with digital enhancements, Augmented Reality has emerged as a powerful tool in education, particularly in creating immersive learning experiences. AR AniMotion builds on these findings by providing auditory feedback and a strong visual stimulus, helping children connect the words they produce and the actions they see. In the initial testing phase, the research team thoroughly reviewed the application. We conducted internal testing, evaluating its functionality, user experience, and educational effectiveness. Feedback was used to refine the user interface and improve the responsiveness of the speech-to-text engine, ensuring a seamless interaction between the child’s speech and the application’s output. The application is ready to be tested in real-world classrooms or therapy settings and is pending approval for ethics. Once ethics approval is secured, the research team plans to conduct formal studies involving both teachers and students, focusing on assessing how well AR AniMotion supports speech development and how it can be integrated into existing speech therapy programs.
This application clearly closes the gap in supporting children with speech difficulties in language development, instilling a passion for learning, growth, and communication through images, and supporting long-term benefits with self-esteem, social skills, and well-being. The application converts real-time speech input into animated actions of 3D animal models, allowing children to see a direct connection between their spoken words and the resulting animations, making the learning experience highly interactive and motivating. This work can potentially revolutionize how speech therapy is delivered by integrating cutting-edge AR technology with sound pedagogical principles.