The University of Cyprus is participating in a new European Erasmus+ research project titled “Enhancing Reading Comprehension for SEN Students with Partially Mentally Disabled through Avatars – AvatarSEN.” The project aims to strengthen reading comprehension among students with special educational needs by using interactive avatars and digital educational material.
The project runs for 24 months (December 2023 – December 2025) with a budget of €250,000, and the Software Engineering and Internet Technologies (SEIT) Laboratory of the University of Cyprus is a key partner.
AvatarSEN seeks to offer students with partial intellectual disabilities a learning environment tailored to their needs, with the goal of:
- developing reading comprehension, vocabulary, and phonological awareness,
- enhancing motivation and engagement through interactive technologies,
- creating personalized educational material using avatars,
- providing a friendly, accessible digital learning environment.
Specifically, the Software Engineering and Internet Technologies Laboratory (SEIT, http://www.cs.ucy.ac.cy/seit) of the University of Cyprus is the coordinator of the AvatarSEN Research Project, which is funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme. The lab’s team is responsible for designing and developing the digital platform that will host the avatars and educational content. With deep expertise in e-learning, the team is working to create an environment where each student can learn at their own pace, confidently and comfortably.
The AvatarSEN project is implemented by an international consortium of organizations from Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Poland, and Spain, joining forces for a common goal: to make learning more inclusive, more human, and more accessible for everyone. This collaboration brings together experts in special education, technology, and pedagogical innovation, creating a strong foundation for a project that is expected to positively impact hundreds of students in the future.
AvatarSEN is not just a technological tool. It is a promise to students that learning can be enjoyable, understandable, and empowering—a process that helps them feel supported, even if their companion is an avatar.
The contribution of the University of Cyprus to this project opens new avenues for special education and offers a valuable opportunity to leverage technology for the benefit of the students who need it most.
For more information about the project, visit: https://avatarsen.cs.ucy.ac.cy/
Source: University of Cyprus | Latest news (https://tinyurl.com/3dvsf35n)