Journal #8: Adaptive Technology

Communication:
Define AAC:  AAC is an area of assistive technology that "attempts to compensate (either temporarily or permanently) for the impairment and disability patterns of individuals with severe expressive communication disorders (i.e. the severely speech-language and writing impaired)" (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 1989). It is an inclusive term for any system that facilitates communication that can include strategies, techniques, and/or devices that support an individual’s expressive communication.

 Define/Explain tool:  Low tech tool: I chose the eye gaze board as a low tch tool.  I will need a clear plastic board to hold up in fron of students face.  For students who can not use their hands and arms to reach or point.  I will use photographs of students, objects, or vocabulary for a book/activity.  Icons to discuss weather.  Icons to choose materials for art, snacks or selct items to use in a cooking activity.  Icons to answer questions true/false and multiple choice.  Use miniture objects to students who do not understand that photographs have meaning.
High tech tool:  I chose this Mac program for my high tech tool.  For students with cognitive disabilities, the Mac is equipped with Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology that can read aloud a selection of text or an entire document. Mac TTS includes various male and female voices, including a more natural-sounding voice named Alex. Alex actually pauses to “breathe” when speaking long passages, and sounds as good at high speed as he does at normal speaking rates. Mac TTS works with all applications that support the OS X Speech engine, including Mail, iChat, and TextEdit.


Accessibility:
Define input device: An input device that transfers data into a computer to be processed. Most people use keyboards as an input device for their computer, but individuals with communication problems need various ways to input information into computers.
Hardware option: Yellow-Keys version is great for visually impaired, including seniors, and LD, and any population that needs large characters!  Keyboard is standard size with standard size keys.  I will have these in my classroom for students who cannot use a regular keyboard. 

Software option:  There are countless 'educational games' on the market that are merely arcade games with a few maths or spelling questions tossed in.  Drill and practice may have its place, but it can only reinforce information that children already know. Much better value are programs that let the children explore a variety of concepts. Some of the better programs offer both 'Question and Answer' and 'Explore' modes of play. Activities that children can relate to real life will help them make those links from concrete to abstract concepts while building on their knowledge of the world.