Communication:
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) includes all forms of communication methods that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants or ideas for those with impairments in the production or comprehension of spoken or written language.
No/Low tech tool- PECS
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an example of AAC that
focuses as a behaivoral approach that teaches self-initiated requesting.
This allows the learner to engage in symbols for desired items rather
than to point to them on a communication display. The communication
partner provies the requested item or activity. This helps because the student is engaging in the object to where he or she can remember the action with the word. This is a type of body kinesthetic approach that will be extremely useful for students with communication disabilities. The picture to the left is an example of the PECS communication system. The teacher has 6 symbols that can be acted out or presented that the student is acting out to better remember the word.
High Tech Tool- e-talk Chat-GT
The Great Talking Box Company's newest product is the e-talk Chat-GT. This enables personal communication for individuals unable to use their natural voice. It is a touch screen machine where the learner can use symbols, text, sounds or pictures to create words phrases and sentences. As you can see on the picture to the right, it has clear symbols and colors that categorize nouns, verbs, or adjectives to help create the sentence the learner is trying to say. Its bright screen and size makes it easy and portable for anyone.
Accessibility:
Input device: is any hardware equipment that can be used to provide data and control signals to a processing system such as a computer or other appliance.
MegaBee- Hardware Option
MegaBee is a writing tablet to aid frequent communication. This device uses eye movement and blinking to select letters which are displayed on the actual screen. It is mainly used for people with brain damage, strokes, motor loss and cerebral palsy; people that have no, or little ability to speak and cannot write. For example, if the user wanted to select the letter B, it would first be selected by looking at the blue block where the letter B is located and then blinking. Then as the letter B is yellow they would press the yellow button on the bottom where they have colored buttons that corresponds with the colors inside the boxes.
As you can see the screen on the tablet they are able to use their own vocabulary to create their own set of shorthand words or phrases that can be uploaded. Software- Windbag
Windbag is a text based communication aid program. It provides a way for people with literacy needs to store and retrieve messages. There are two main screens as you can see from the picture to the right.
The chat window is the window on the top that allows you to speak as you type conversations. It contains a number of tools to provide your message in the way that you want. You can type or speak messages, use abbreviations, predictive typing, and it can store previous texts that you can use again. The message window to the bottom displays your phrase bank which provides an easy way to speak out in commonly used phrases. I can not believe how many softwares, devices, and programs that are offered to people with literacy problems. Technology can make anything happen :D
Blogs I commented on:
Tara
David
I love the layout of the page and your pictures! I agree with you how technology can help make so much happen. The MegaBee is such a great example of how amazing technology is. The fact that it can "uses eye movement and blinking to select letters which are displayed on the actual screen" is crazy!
ReplyDeleteI liked your section on the low tech tool for communication and how it allows for the students to remember an action along with the word. I think that can be really useful and make it easier for students to recall what they learned at a later time. I also agree that the MegaBee is an amazing tool and can help a lot of people who have different disabilities. It's really cool!
ReplyDeleteI like your section on the MegaBee tool because it seems easy to use and that it gives the freedom of the person using it to come up with their own phrases or words. I also like PECS section because it is a simple tool to let students understand the expression and engage in it as well.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the Windbag software system! This is fabulous for students who have difficulty articulating with another individual. This not only teaches the student how and what to say, but also allows teachers to visually see what their student is trying to say communicate.
ReplyDelete