Day 3 - Wednesday, July 7

This class started off by talking about the assessment process for assistive technology. We learned about 4 different models that professional use to figure out if it is the right technology for the purpose.


HAAT model - Human Activity Assistive Technology Model – looks at what the activity is, think about the person doing the activity and where the activity is being done.

MPT (TT) – this is the model the South Shore School Board uses, following the model described by Dr. Marcia Scherer.. In this model you take a look at the environment (milieu) the technology will be used in, the personality of the student who will be using it (motivated etc) and the technology itself. Time and Task have been added when discussed in class because these are also important to consider when thinking about AT integration into a student's program.

WATI - The Wisconson Assistive Technology Initiative is a manual created by this organization outlining the steps that need to be condidered when using AT with checklists and questions to consider when looking at AT.

SETT Framework – takes into consideration the Student, the Environment, the Tasks and the Tools

Basically all the models get you to look at the learner, their personality and experience with the technology, the place where and how the technology will be used. There are checklists to use with all the models that help you go through questions you need to think about to see what AT will be appropriate for the stage the student is at.

Next in the class we were given time to use an AAC device to use for the scenario we talked about yesterday on how a person who is non verbal will communicate their message. I really enjoyed on learning how to use the Go Talk! I can see the disadvantages on having to carry the device around to communicate but for a person just learning how to communicate I cannot believe how this would open up their world. I can also see how it would be easy to just have them communicate with one word. It would be easy to slip into this habit but it is important to develop literacy skills at all times and encourage the use of proper sentences.

Now for the really exciting part of the class Proloquo 2 go. Wow, what an amazing tool for a student who is non verbal and used to dynamic technology. It is very easy to use and would be exciting for a student who is interested in technology even a little bit. For those of you who are reading this who are not in this class, Proloquo 2 Go is an Application for an iPod touch that is a communication device where you can use folders to organize what level or topic the communication is about (like the sheet or level in the go talk) and then have specific icons that say what you want it to say. See the link on the side for a demo from u tube. I am very excited to go back and share this with my Program Support team in September.