The Effect of an Artificial Intelligence Educational Program on Learning Electronic Goalball Skills for Blind Children regarding Social Engagement and Self-Empowerment

Abstract

The research aims to integrate advanced technologies into sports for the blind to overcome traditional educational obstacles. The study stemmed from a problem observed by the researcher regarding the difficulty of learning basic skills using traditional mechanical balls. These balls suffer from "silent" issues such as rust, damage to bells, and limited audio guidance, which negatively reflects on the child's self-confidence and leads to isolation. The research sought to design an educational program utilizing artificial intelligence to transform the ball into a smart tool providing immediate feedback, with the aim of measuring its impact on learning skills (defense and offense) and enhancing psychological aspects represented by social engagement and self-empowerment . The study adopted the experimental method with a one-group pre-test/post-test design. The sample included ten blind children from Al-Noor Institute in Babylon Governorate, aged between 9 and 12 years. Statistics proved their complete homogeneity in the variables of age, height, and weight. The researcher used advanced tools, including an electronic goalball equipped with a surround sound system and self-diagnostic fault detection, and an AI program installed on a computer to analyze movements and provide guidance via surround headphones. The educational program lasted for twelve weeks, with three sessions per week, and progressed through four stages: starting with preparation and familiarity with the technology, passing through teaching defensive and offensive skills, and ending with the competition and integration stage . The results showed significant and statistically significant superiority in the post-test measurements for all research variables. On the skill level, the offensive skill achieved the highest improvement rate of 172%, while the defensive skill developed by 165%. The researcher attributed this to the accuracy of audio guidance and the AI's ability to build a mental map of the court for the child and provide real-time feedback. Regarding the psychological and social aspects, the level of social engagement increased by 124%, and self-empowerment jumped by 151%.