Turn Your iPad into an Augmentative Communication Device
Course at a Glance!
Instructor/Presenter: Karina D. Barley - M.Ed.
Length: 15 hours
Number of Professional Development Credits: 1, from the University of North Dakota
Introduction
Technology has developed into playing a huge role in assisting individuals with communication needs, allowing for tremendous advancements and growth of those individuals that without AAC technology would not otherwise be able to communicate their thoughts, ideas, feelings, wants and needs. AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication is the term that encompasses the tools and methodology used to support or replace communication for individuals that have speech or communication impairments.
With the invention of the iPad and Augmentative Communication apps, the ability to connect those who have communication problems is now more available and more affordable. Before the iPad some of the traditional devices could range from $3,000-$15,000, but now using the iPad and cost effective apps means that individuals have greater access at home and also at school. This puts communication more readily in the hands of a child who needs it, which helps to bridge the gaps that previously hindered their learning. Some of the apps can also be used to create visual schedules, social stories etc. so it is important to consider what you student needs when choosing an AAC app.
This course demonstrates the most important accessibility options available on the iPad and some of the AAC apps available, and how they can make a significant difference in the classroom for learners who need social and communication support due to speech or communication impairments.
Course Objectives
This course aims:
Learning Objectives
Session Topics
1. Accessibility Options – How to navigate to the Accessibility option on the iPad and being aware of what the various options
2. Using the iPad to bridge the learning gap for students with Special Needs
3. What apps are available? Why you should use apps as well as the accessibility options?
4. How to use apps for social skills, communication and bringing out the best in your student with differentiated needs
5. Using technology to make a difference to the student with Special Needs
Methods of Instruction will include:
Individual lessons
Multiple-choice quizzes
Assignment
Video, iPad Resources & Applications, Web links
Text and/or Other Materials
Video, screen captures, multiple-choice quizzes, web links and links to apps are provided by the instructor in this online course. There are NO required textbooks.
Assignments
This course has one assignment.
The course includes five multiple-choice quizzes.
Percentage of Course Credit
Quizzes: 100%
Assignment: Mandatory but ungraded
Due Dates of Major Assignments, Projects, and Examinations:
This online, self-running program can be started and completed at the student’s own leisure within four months from the beginning of the course.
Grading and Evaluation Activities:
This online course uses Letter Grading and/or S/US according to the Quiz results.
The course administrator will review students’ answers and provide feedback. Students will be evaluated on their quiz grades, assignment presentation, and the quality of all the assessment required for this course. There is an opportunity for the students to repeat the quiz twice should they fail.
Assignment – What are the benefits of using the iPad as an Augmentative Communication device in the classroom?
OUTLINE OF COURSE
Lesson One - Accessibility Options – How to navigate to the Accessibility option on the iPad and being aware of what the various options are.
Lesson Two - Using the iPad to bridge the learning gap for students with Special Needs.
Lesson Three - What apps are available? Why you should use apps as well as the accessibility options?
Lesson Four - How to use apps for social skills, communication, and bringing out the best in your student with Special Needs.
Lesson Five - Using technology to make a difference to the student with Special Needs.
Course at a Glance!
Instructor/Presenter: Karina D. Barley - M.Ed.
Length: 15 hours
Number of Professional Development Credits: 1, from the University of North Dakota
Introduction
Technology has developed into playing a huge role in assisting individuals with communication needs, allowing for tremendous advancements and growth of those individuals that without AAC technology would not otherwise be able to communicate their thoughts, ideas, feelings, wants and needs. AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication is the term that encompasses the tools and methodology used to support or replace communication for individuals that have speech or communication impairments.
With the invention of the iPad and Augmentative Communication apps, the ability to connect those who have communication problems is now more available and more affordable. Before the iPad some of the traditional devices could range from $3,000-$15,000, but now using the iPad and cost effective apps means that individuals have greater access at home and also at school. This puts communication more readily in the hands of a child who needs it, which helps to bridge the gaps that previously hindered their learning. Some of the apps can also be used to create visual schedules, social stories etc. so it is important to consider what you student needs when choosing an AAC app.
This course demonstrates the most important accessibility options available on the iPad and some of the AAC apps available, and how they can make a significant difference in the classroom for learners who need social and communication support due to speech or communication impairments.
Course Objectives
This course aims:
- To provide awareness for educators on the iPad’s accessibility capabilities
- To develop an understanding of why using Augmentative Communication is essential to the learner who has communication and speech issues
- To provide training and educational strategies using the iPad in order to creative a productive learning using a variety of iPad apps
- To have awareness of the various apps that can be used to assist students in general
Learning Objectives
- To develop knowledge about the iPad’s accessibility options and capabilities and to learn how to use them
- To learn why using Augmentative Communication within the classroom will assist students who are affected by communication or speech issues
- To be aware of the types of apps that are available and how they can be individualized for each student
- To learn about using various apps to assist students who have specific learning needs
Session Topics
1. Accessibility Options – How to navigate to the Accessibility option on the iPad and being aware of what the various options
2. Using the iPad to bridge the learning gap for students with Special Needs
3. What apps are available? Why you should use apps as well as the accessibility options?
4. How to use apps for social skills, communication and bringing out the best in your student with differentiated needs
5. Using technology to make a difference to the student with Special Needs
Methods of Instruction will include:
Individual lessons
Multiple-choice quizzes
Assignment
Video, iPad Resources & Applications, Web links
Text and/or Other Materials
Video, screen captures, multiple-choice quizzes, web links and links to apps are provided by the instructor in this online course. There are NO required textbooks.
Assignments
This course has one assignment.
The course includes five multiple-choice quizzes.
Percentage of Course Credit
Quizzes: 100%
Assignment: Mandatory but ungraded
Due Dates of Major Assignments, Projects, and Examinations:
This online, self-running program can be started and completed at the student’s own leisure within four months from the beginning of the course.
Grading and Evaluation Activities:
This online course uses Letter Grading and/or S/US according to the Quiz results.
The course administrator will review students’ answers and provide feedback. Students will be evaluated on their quiz grades, assignment presentation, and the quality of all the assessment required for this course. There is an opportunity for the students to repeat the quiz twice should they fail.
Assignment – What are the benefits of using the iPad as an Augmentative Communication device in the classroom?
OUTLINE OF COURSE
Lesson One - Accessibility Options – How to navigate to the Accessibility option on the iPad and being aware of what the various options are.
- What accessibility options are available on the iPad?
- How do the accessibility options work?
- How do you set up the iPad to suit your student?
Lesson Two - Using the iPad to bridge the learning gap for students with Special Needs.
- Why are the accessibility options so valuable in bridging the learning gaps for students with differentiated needs?
- What are some other ways you can use the iPad to assist students with Special Needs?
- Using QR Codes, Apps that use Photos, Audio, Audio-visual, Screen casting, and apps that are educationally motivating.
Lesson Three - What apps are available? Why you should use apps as well as the accessibility options?
- What apps can be used to assist students who have special needs?
- What are the best AAC apps available?
Lesson Four - How to use apps for social skills, communication, and bringing out the best in your student with Special Needs.
- Using apps to create visual schedules, social stories, and visual cues
- Apps that can be used for social skills and communication
- Strategies for using the iPad for students with Special Needs
Lesson Five - Using technology to make a difference to the student with Special Needs.
- Creating an inclusive classroom using technology such as the iPad
- Differentiating learning made easy with technology
- Collaborating and communicating with parents using the iPad – The link between school and home
