E-learning: a new method to teach media workers how to smooth accent and care of voice

• Grant number: 14/05373-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2014
• End date: October 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Speech Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Lídia Cristina da Silva Teles
• Grantee: Lídia Cristina da Silva Teles
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Many studies in healthcare have pointed telehealth as a complementary tool or alternative care for people. However, it is necessary to investigate the impact of using these technologies in clinical practice and estimate/determinate whether the guidelines given by means of information and communication technologies are as effective as face-to-face orientations. This study aims to develop a distance workshop for smoothing accent of archiphoneme {R} when vocalized as retroflex tap (known as a hick accent of Brazilian Portuguese) and compare the distance learning method with the face-to-face method. The results of this type of study provide more information that can contribute to design of laws about the use of the new technologies in rehabilitation services. We developed two workshops that will be coordinated by the author of this study: a "Workshop for Smoothing Accent - Distance Mode", for twenty participants in the Virtual Course platform, and a "Workshop for Smoothing Accent - Face-to-Face Mode", for twenty participants, given in the Speech-Language Pathology classroom, Faculty of Dentistry of Bauru, University of São Paulo. It will be admitted to the workshop both: professional media workers or people with interests faced to this specific area such as students, regardless of gender, age and experience. Both workshops will consist of ten modules containing theoretical activities and practical activities. To evaluate the workshops, all participants will have their voices recorded and they will answer a questionnaire before and at the end of the workshops. This study will stimulate growth of Telefonoaudiologia as an alternative clinical practice. (AU)