Week 7

-

     For this lesson, I was able to learn all about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). These are technological tools that allow students who may struggle with communicating verbally or are unable to, to have the chance to feel like they are included and not falling behind the rest of the class. These tools can range from low-tech, like sign language, or high-tech, something like an app on an iPad that allows the student to click buttons that speak words out loud. 

The first Augmentative and Alternative Communication technology tool I have chosen is a low-tier technology: picture boards/cards. Picture boards/cards can simply be a board filled with colourful visuals that are labelled to match the visual: ex, an image of a sad face, and the description saying "upset", or an image of a question mark, and the description saying "question". This makes it so the student can easily just point at the visual they believe would be best suited to the context, and it allows the educator to understand and communicate with the student. I have seen a few examples before of these tools being useful for someone who may have autism, and they may find it difficult to describe how they are feeling. Very similar to the picture boards, communication cards would also be a great idea for something to have on hand, or give to a student who may struggle with communication. These cards could contain a phrase that they may use often or need to use in an emergency, such as "I want time alone" or "I want quiet." As I can imagine how frustrating it could be to be unable to communicate. Not only are these tools great for students who may be non-verbal, but also for other students who struggle to voice how they are feeling. 

The second tool that I have chosen is a high-tech tool called Proloquo. This tool is quite similar to the last one, being that both of them use symbols to make it easier on the student. However, as this tool is high-tech, it is digitally based, and by clicking on one of the symbols, it is actually said out loud. This app can be used on both iPad and iPhone; however, if given to a student, I believe it would be best suited on the iPad, as it gives them a bigger screen to see, and that could allow for a faster way of communicating. This technology support is not only great for helping students communicate, but also with the fact that they are still young and learning, and it's a wonderful way to continue their learning of the English language. There are many different ways to customise the interface of the app to best support the student. It is also extremely easy to transfer the data from app to app, so the student will still be able to use the same buttons they have customised to their own liking on the school's iPad. 

The main thing I have learned from this week's readings, slides, and videos is how important it is for students who may be struggling with a communication issue or are unable to communicate verbally. As frustrating as this disability may be in general, it can be even more frustrating if they are unable to have the tools that they need.

Proloquo and Proloquo Coach - AssistiveWare. (n.d.). www.assistiveware.com. https://www.assistiveware.com/products/proloquo 

‌

‌


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 1

-
     As we become more and more technologically advanced as a society, the rise of technology being used in classrooms becomes more and more common. One of my goals as I navigate through this class is to find and understand the sweet spot with technology. How can it benefit students, while also posing as a negative, and potentially becoming a distraction? I would also love to learn the best tools for assisting students with learning disabilities. I feel as though there are so many tools out there that provide many different supports for different subjects or learning disabilities. I would love to be able to, by the end of this class, have a select few that I retain in my memory, and can pull out if I am faced with a student who needs it. Finally, a more general and personal goal is to just stay on top of assignments. As I am now balancing three classes, it's filled with more important dates I have to remember. I've found that using a planner has truly helped me succeed wi...
Read more

Week 6

-
       This week's post is primarily focused on technologies that provide math support for students. This week has especially interested me as I was, and am, someone who struggles with math. A majority of the technologies I learned about were things that I wish I had access to in elementary, middle school, and high school. I feel as though if I did have access to them, I would've done better in math, or at least felt more motivated. Part of my biggest problem that fueled my bad grades in math was that I was afraid of it. I struggled with understanding the values of numbers, and I felt that I was constantly falling behind my classmates. In reality, I just didn't have the support that I needed or the tools that could help assist me with things like memorization and understanding values in numbers.  The first example of a math technology support I have chosen to delve deeper into is multiplication charts. Multiplication charts are quite self-explanatory. These char...
Read more

Week 4

-
     Students in the 21st century are lucky to have a wide variety of technological tools to support their reading. Throughout this week's discussions, class meetings, and readings, I have been able to learn more about these different tools and their advantages. Two of the technological tools that stood out most to me were Raz-Kids and Google Read & Write. Both of these programs, I have experience using throughout my education journey when I was a student, and I recall finding them engaging and especially useful.  Raz-Kids is an online program that assists students (usually K-5) with reading by providing online books that match the students' reading level, as well as comprehension quizzes, interactive activities, and awards students with points, to keep students engaged and motivated. Students who may be struggling with reading will be able to read books that better suit their level, and they will be provided with tools that can assist them, depending on what the...
Read more