Teacher Aminah Al-Zahrani from Jeddah has achieved a breakthrough in inclusive education. She has invented a unique Arabic tablet. This device helps blind students study math and more. It’s not just a tech milestone—it shows educators’ drive to open learning to everyone.

Listen to the news

Key Facts:

• A Jeddah teacher’s innovation: Aminah bint Abdullah Al-Zahrani, a teacher from Jeddah, has been granted a patent for a revolutionary Arabic tablet specifically designed for visually impaired students.
  • Her invention received acknowledgment from the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and was registered with the World Intellectual Property Organization.
• International research: Al-Zahrani and her team conducted extensive research across North America and Southeast Asia, revealing a widespread issue faced by visually impaired students, particularly in mathematical learning.
  • The common challenges found were not localized but echoed globally, especially in the Gulf regions and Yemen.
• Development of the device: A prototype described as a “learning tablet in Braille” was initially developed in 2005.
  • The tablet went through several stages of evolution, culminating in its final form by 2019.
• Components and features: The tablet consists of seven parts:
  • It includes a base, surface, lines set for calculations, Braille cells, a cover, and a hinge connecting the cover to the base.
  • The design allows visually impaired students to perform math calculations and learn in both Arabic and English.
• Advantages over traditional tools: Al-Zahrani’s experience highlighted the deficiencies in existing educational tools for the sight impaired, such as size, weight, and safety concerns.
  • The tablet she developed offers user-friendly Braille cells that conform to standard sizes and ensures the stability of these cells even when students are mobile.
• Practical application and trials: The device underwent successful trials at the Al-Noor Institute for Girls and the Ebsar Foundation in Jeddah.
  • Students from various educational levels were part of a sample group that tested the tablet’s effectiveness, yielding positive results.
  • Math instructors and professionals from these institutions endorsed the device for its contribution to teaching various subjects.

Final Thoughts:

Aminah bint Abdullah Al-Zahrani created an Arabic tablet for visually impaired students, marking a significant step in educational tech. This device offers hope and advancement, ensuring these students face fewer barriers due to their visual impairments.

The tablet turns complex math problems simpler and widens learning opportunities across subjects. It boosts visually impaired students’ confidence and independence in academics.

Successful tests of the tablet in Jeddah’s schools show progress in combining technology with inclusivity. It sets a standard for future tools aimed at helping students with special educational needs.

Similar Stories

• Milkyway: Best Tablet Computer, India’s Pride
• Shadow Teachers: Navigating Inclusive Classroom Demands