Leveraging 3D Printing Technology to Facilitate Quranic Education for the Visually Impaired

<jats:p>As the sacred book of Islam, the Quran is essential for all Muslims to learn and memorize. However, teaching it to individuals with visual impairments presents considerable challenges, particularly due to the complexity of the text and the limitations of current learning tools. The development of the Braille Quran through the Braille Quran code has indeed attracted their interest. However, the embossed Braille Quran paper in a thick book is still an inconvenience. Meanwhile, 3D scoring word board games, which offer engaging and tactile word recognition experiences, have shown potential as alternative learning tools.  In this context, the study aimed to apply a gamification approach through word board games by developing a learning module that incorporates 3D-printed Braille tiles of Hijaiyyah (Quranic letters) and a reel-to-reel cassette. These components were designed to offer an interactive and engaging method for visually impaired learners. The module was tested among participants with varying degrees of visual impairment who attended Braille classes. Through structured activities using the 3D-printed tiles and cassette kit, learners were introduced to Hijaiyyah characters in an engaging and tactile manner. Assessments were conducted to evaluate vocabulary improvement and user engagement. The results demonstrated that the activity and implementation successfully introduced and attracted visually impaired individuals to learn Hijaiyyah Braille characters through gamification. Participants demonstrated noticeable progress, particularly beginners, in recognizing and recalling Braille Hijaiyyah letters. It is evidenced by an analysis of the program’s efficiency and beginners’ performance in each activity applied in the module. In conclusion, the integration of 3D-printed Braille tiles and reel-to-reel cassette into a gamified teaching module presents an effective, low-cost solution for Quranic education among the visually impaired. This alternative learning method has the potential to improve accessibility and motivation in learning the Quran.
Keywords: Additive manufacturing; Braille code; Braille module; Cassette shaped; Visually impaired</jats:p>