Week 4 IDS 121

Wow! The final week in IDS 121! These last four weeks have been a giant learning experience and a “roller coaster ride.” I have learned so much about technologies and the online community. I was able to engage in discussion and document my learning throughout the course. This week I was able to view many project topics and participate in questions others had asked pertaining to their research topic. JENNIFER and other classmates asked questions to include in their research. That is great information to add. I asked if anyone has used or talked to someone that uses an AAC voice output device and had a few responses either asking more information about the topic or giving me resources. I found it a great way to see if people new about the topic or if anyone had any sources to research.

This week my focus was on research. I researched Alternative Augmentative Communication(AAC)  Devices that give a voice to those who are none verbal and/or have autism. I found that AAC devices range from high tech (computer voice output devices) to low tech (pencil grips). Throughout my research I looked at a main manufacture of high tech voice output devices, DynaVox. There website provided me with an abundance on the different styles of AAC computer technologies. I also found a bit of information on the basics of how they are used at home and school.

Since there were so many I chose to research four, the Dyna V+, DynaWrite, Eyemax, and the iPad when used with an application called Proloquo2 Go.  I learned how each of these devices worked.  Many use symbols/pictures to symbolize a word. You can click on these symbols to create sentences and have a conversation. This is very beneficial to those who are non verbal and/or have autism because the pictures are a clear way of describing the word. I found that many children with autism learn best from pictures! While researching I found a You Tube video of an adult who is non-verbal and special needs who is talking to a younger class that has special needs using her device. Here is the link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMv0s_5tKSU&feature=related). I also found an ABC video where they interview creator of Proloquo2 Go. They talked about the iPad and the application to turn it into a voice output AAC device (http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/conversation-ipad-voice-autistic-10499697).  Through my research I also found scholarly articles and books. I had trouble searching at first so I used a useful technology. I used online chat on the Milner Library site to talk to a librarian that helped me use the correct words to search with. That and the Research Textbook we learned about in week three helped me find useful information. I also found people sources very useful. I interviewed two people. One, a mother who has had experiences at home with her child using both the iPad Proloquo 2 Go and Dyna V+. Another, a teacher who had a student that used the DynaWrite. Both supplied me with great information and thoughts on AAC devices they had experience with.

Overall, this week has been fun because I was able to research something I am interested in. I find that it always makes things more excited when your heart is in the topic. This course truly showed me the advances and influences of technology and how there are entirely different communities separate from those in the “real world.”

Week 3 IDS 121 Class

I have to admit, this was a tough week for me to keep up on the readings, posts, lab notes, my own research and my summer job! I ended up making it through and learning very much! This week in IDS 121 we read articles on research, online courses, and e-zines.  The articles we read were “Predicting Learning From Asynchronous Online Discussions,” “Strands in the Web: Community-Building Strategies in Online Fanzines,” and “Examining Social Presence in Online Courses in Relation to Students’ Perceived Learning and Satisfaction.” We also explored an Online Research Method Textbook. The articles and textbook all related to research, online classes, which are a form of an online community. Two of the articles discuss a study done on Online Classes and how students learn online.

The first article I read this week was from “Predicting Learning From Asynchronous Online Discussions.”  This article was a dated article that “results indicated online discussions do improve perceived learning.” I found it to be predictable. The study was done when online classes were just forming. It occurred at one college with a small number of people. The study found that both face-to-face and computer-mediated discussion provided for a superior learning environment compared to just learning in a classroom. This article is similar to the second article I read about social presence in online courses. Both are dated and discuss online learning. A hypothesis from the second article states, “Students’ perceptions of social presence in online courses are a predictor of their perceived learning.” I agree because just as in a classroom you need social interactions to be successful. I agree with JOEL  when he stated, “I have been under the impression that it was a well known fact that people learn through interaction. Therefore, it does not take much to believe that if people do not perceive the educational medium to be interactive they will perceive learning in a positive correlation.”

The last article I read was “Strategies in Online Fanzines” that discusses communities and e-zines or online magazines. The article on Online Fanzines contained old information about e-zines that compared themselves to a home page, which allowed you to go from one link (URL) to another. These links attracted more followers, which created more online communities. I agree with the articles statement, “the presence in virtual space of people who share one’s interests helps individuals find a sense of belonging that might otherwise be missing in their lives.” E-zines give people an outlet in online communities. They are also a great source to research a project like the projects we are completing. SARAH posted weebly.com where you can find e-zines on your topic. I have not had a chance but am anxious to explore the site!

 This week I also began to research my project on Alternative Augmentative Communication Devices and how they help students with special needs communicate. Much of my week has been researching AAC devices. The articles I read made me think of how much the information we research has changed. From the dates they are given to the current dates research has changed drastically. The readings made me wonder how search engines have changed overtime and if proper ways of online researching have changed as well. I know in the past years I have been told to research many different ways from using questions, to sentences to words. I am glad the research method textbook was shown to us because it goes through the steps on how to research correctly. I agree with LA TOCHA when he states, “I feel this reading is the most beneficial because I can organize my thoughts for my research project.” It definitely will help my research processes!

This week has been difficult changing from not very many readings to a few. It has been hard to get the desired posts in and to incorporate my topic with what we have discussed. Although it does have to do with technology, it is hard to find an online community about my topic. Maybe I have been looking in the wrong places! I am sure within the next couple days my research will be completed and I will find an interesting community.