Implementation of hands-on wheelchair learning:

Comparison of learning by university and elementary school students

Abstract

　[Purpose] In this study, healthy university and elementary school students underwent hands-on wheelchair learning. The purpose was to examine and improve the learning content by comparing the observed behaviors and recorded impressions by age group. [Method] Five university students and three elementary school students participated in the study. They practiced navigating hallways, asphalt, slopes, and steps in a wheelchair. After practicing three types of wheelchair operation—rider-propelled, giving assistance to another rider, and receiving assistance as a rider—the participants were asked to describe their impressions. Their behavior was observed during the experience and recorded by the author. [Results] In the rider-propelled and receiving assistance conditions, the university students reported a fear of speed on slopes and a fear of steps due to the inclination of the seat. The elementary school students, in contrast, experienced no fear and in fact enjoyed the thrill. [Discussion] In hands-on instruction, it is desirable to foster awareness among elementary school students regarding the places where wheelchair users are likely to feel fear so that they can contemplate strategies that can be employed to assist users in order to make them feel safe.