Bijak Bicara: A Constructive Speech-Based Educational Game for Special Needs Students with Speech Delay

Abstract

Speech delay significantly impacts children’s learning, social interactions, and cognitive development, affecting 10 to 20 percent of children in 2023. Traditional methods often neglect essential communication skills, prompting the need for innovative solutions. This project introduces a mobile game utilizing gamification and speech recognition technology to create an interactive learning environment. Designed following Ministry of Education guidelines, the game is a valuable tool for teachers and parents in Integrated Special Education Programs (ISEP). By addressing the lack of articulation exercises and limitations on learning tools, particularly in rural areas, this project aims to enhance communication skills and support children's speech development. In order to create a speech-based game mobile application that uses speech recognition technology to identify speech articulation, including common mispronunciations, the study uses an agile method approach that combines qualitative research on speech delay, with data analysis from participants with ISEP background. The effectiveness of the game was assessed through a post-test evaluation with 30 participants (14 teachers and 16 parents), leading to an overall effectiveness rating of 75.6%. Feedback indicates that ‘Bijak Bicara’ is beneficial for supporting students' articulation practice and provides a more engaging option compared to traditional methods. Future suggestions include adapting the game for different grade levels and exploring its use in various settings like ISEP schools in urban areas to further improve its effectiveness and reach.