Augmentative Communication ch 9 of Assistive Technology in the Classroom

Selecting and designing a student's augmentative communication system

thoughts from Michael Williams: he uses whatever is most convenient for a given situation, however prefers email as communication to avoid what he calls his "annoying visual distractions" and level the playing field
aug comm must provide basic features of traditional communication for user
1)ability to construct a message using symbols
2)to deliver that message to another person
3)the ability to respond to the receiver in a timely manner
Considerations
-it is now believed that anyone with speech difficulties is a candidate to achieve enhanced communication abilities through aug comm
-collaborative team of student, parents, and professionals (Sped, slp)should be involved tin the decision to be sure of the appropriate nature of choices made
-issues to consider during decision making time/assessment:(p.220)
developmental status
communication status
attributes of the envrmt
communication needs
aug comm solutions
effectiveness of the aug comm solution
Decisions on symbol system
what symbols to represent vocabulary? what extend can student access symbolic language?
symbol: something that stands for something else, pics verses letters verses words, sentences
photos representations are transparent: meaning is clear
written words are opaque: people who read can understand
symbol sets are translucent: some obvious, others vague
what vocabulary? What words would the student most likely want to need and want to express
empower the individual with the vocabulary, use kid talk and phrases that are in
be sure to have: a greeting, commentary on common activities, specific people important to the student, favorite activities and objects, feelings, way to protest or say no
to determine appropriate vocab, conduct interviews with family, peers, observation, analyze challenging behavior
how will the student access the vocab? parameters and methods
think of the efficiency in communicating, arrange the symbols to maximize the rate of communication

nov 4

review of midterm
assessment is necessary to determine the BEST accommodation or device
training is important for device, the plan from the beginning should include training
this week, augmentative and alternative communication, susan fridie

powerpoint
be aware of color, black text in light or white background are easiest to read
the more contrast, the better
for coding, don't just change color, change symbol (think if color blindedness)
fonts: verdana is a clean font, better for visual impairment, arial is good, times new roman, bad, stay away from curly cues
look at space between letters,American printing house has increased space between
check out teachertube.com
advanced powerpoint, you must have a folder to store media
master slides: one slide that everything is on it (ie. home, previous, next)
view, master, slide master or title master to change (kind of like page number and title header)
slide transitions, speed and effect for changing slide
adding music or movie: go to normal view, select movies and sounds, insert clip or movie, create your own or add from the web
animations: careful...confusing stuff
think through your end goal before you begin your powerpoint
digital voice recorder, voice to text, upload to computer through mp3

assignment:
not linear,create a lesson or reinforcement activity 10 slides, different pieces
audio can be problematic
due november 12th for feedback or november 17th final product
if you insert an image, fill out a ___tag.

Susan Fridie focus on tech, keyboards and mice

Input devices (keyboards and mice) and adaptations for them
to use a regular computer, you need vision (field, movement tracking, following lines), muscle control/motor control, strength to press key, perceptual abilities such as hand-eye coordination, self-control, motivation, judgment, and cognitive abilities.

ergonomics
get an assessment from OT

low tech before high tech, try it out
try to adapt the typical device before tech n(control panel windows or universal access MAC) for example sticky keys and other (see notes Assistive Technology Key Terms and Definitions + access to computers, ch 6)
alternate layouts for accessibility under control panel or accessibility options
beyond those options, you can
-get hardware modifications such as position it, additions to tables to change the positioning of a keyboard,
keyguard to block the in between space of keys,
typing aid, device attached to and with projection to type on keys, sometimes problematic
color coding to locate a key with greater ease,
alternate layout most foreign languages but some designed for efficiency and ergonomics for either hand or both, lots of variations,
large print keycaps stick on raised bumps as tactile markers,
alternate keyboard with different sections, adjustable angles, and other potential manipulations see http://www.diigo.com/list/sfridie/keyboards-mice

mouse control options:(depends on which mouse driver you have installed)
-change in touch sensitivity/pointer speed
-button functions and double click speed
-cursor shape, size, color, trails (of little arrows behind mouse)
if mouse changes does not helps, move to...
-positioning ie mouse board to find correct height
-tactile marker to help locate the primary button
-differently shaped mouse (joystick)
-track pad as a mouse, stand alone
-track ball- stays still on table, rolling ball to move cursor with separate buttons
-alternate joystick
-no hands mouse for use with the feet

laptops:
don't sit like a stupid, get a stand and separate keyboard

october 27, 2008

back up is critical to using technology
technology is not always reliable
many class frustrations with the midterm fortunately I did not have any problems, though I was a stress case about it
computers and software have their limits
you have to understand the logic to feel through the tech mess
its not that flexible (tech)
important message: YOU INFLUENCE TECHNOLOGY
being to tense or stressed out, technology won't be working for you, don't take it personally
new susan fridie on keyboards and mice
wiki can be great for organization and group work
intro to educational challenge assignment

Form Pilot Pro

Form Pilot Pro enables the user to fill out scanned in forms, scanned in as an image with a computer, without altering the original.
http://www.colorpilot.com/typewriter.html

Ergonomics and me

With the help of the Cornell University Website on Ergonomics:
http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ErgoTips2002/workstation/workstationmain.htm
I found out just how bad my own ergonomics are, many of the issues can be seen in the photo of my work station.
1st, apparently my keyboard should sit low on my lap, with the mouse right next to it. The mechanics of my desk do not permit this to happen.
Perhaps if I had this desk with adjustable keyboard height, I could practice proper ergonomics.


This desk would also allow for my elbow to remain close to my body as opposed to my usual, outstretched arm.
From what I understand, my firm, wooden chair is less than ideal, I should be in a padded chair with lower back support with a slight backwards incline, a chair more like this one...

The final area which my computer center and habits are lacking is my foot placement. I have a habit of placing my feet anywhere BUT flat on the ground. This is the only area which I have full control over to change, and I will try.

On a more positive note, I have all of my other office supplies, such as paper, pens, paper clips, printer, etc., within an arms reach. I guess I was doing one thing right.

Bookmarking and annotation

Social Bookmarking stores, organizes, searches, and navigates bookmarks of webpages on the internet. Can also provide webfeeds and lists of informative links to patrons. links to popular social bookmarking sites: http://www.kaboodle.com/
http://www.clipmarks.com/
http://www.diigo.com/
http://www.esnips.com/

http://www.stumbleupon.com/
http://delicious.com/
http://ma.gnolia.com/

Web annotation is something added to an existing resource without changing the resource, for example, adding a rating system on top of what is already there.

kaboodle.com/sfridie/bookmarking-services.html?m_ep=jk for Susan Fridie's top picks and positives and negatives

Susan Fridie Lecture on Bookmarking bookmarking is for organization, to organize links frequently used or interesting, the three elaborated bookmarking tools are all accessible from any computer with internet access, your details are available online at the bookmarking program's main site
kaboodle
with kaboodle, you can bookmark whole pages, the details and title of the bookmark is taken straight from the bookmarked site. after having created an account, right click on desired page, select "add to kaboodle", you can add comments and place in appropriate folder
clipmarks
with clipmarks, you can clip and save selected pieces of web pages after signing up, you click the paperclip icon on the top of your screen, highlight the desired text or images, you can then save it, send to a blog, or print it. for this program, you have to create your own title and comments to identify what you have clipped
diigo
diigo combines whole page and selection bookmarking right click, select diigo option you can also make sticky notes attached to certain pages of a website