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.”