EDPD 584  (3)  Assistive Technology: Foundations & Exemplary Practices

New pedagogical perspectives for engaging teaching and learning of students with exceptionalities using assistive technology will be explored. The students will develop strategies for the application of educational and assistive technologies, as well as the technical skills required to be confident in the design and application of custom, technology-enhanced curriculum. EDPD 584 was formerly called EDPD 581; credit will not be granted for both courses. (8:0:0 for 5 days)

Course Details

Instructors:            Jane Rondow                Paul Hamilton                 Maureen LaFleche

                             rondowj@viu.ca       hamiltonp@viu.ca      laflechem@viu.ca

Dates for Course:  July 5 - 9, 2010

Office Hours:        4:30 - 5:30 pm (in course classrooms/labs)

Class Times:         9:00 am - 4:30 pm,

Course Location and Phone:  Vancouver Island University - 100 Jensen Avenue East, P.O. Box 42, Parksville, BC  V9P 2G3 -  Phone: 250-248-2096 

Initial Class:  Monday, July 5, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.

Course Outline

Click on the link below to download a copy of the Course Outline 

•  Course Outline_EDPD 584_Assistive Technology: Foundations & Exemplary Practices

Course Description 

This course will challenge learners to consider new pedagogical perspectives for teaching students with exceptionalities using assistive technology.  Learners will develop strategies for the application of educational and assistive technologies, be confident in the design and application of custom, technology-enhanced curriculum.

The course is focused on preparing teaching professionals to understand the integration and application of educational technologies in the K-12 curriculum, with a special emphasis on assistive technologies. Learners will be introduced to the fundamental principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and will be shown how UDL can form the basis of a classroom approach that meets the diverse learning needs of ALL students.  Learners will be introduced to a variety of digital tools that can be used as assistive technology to support the learning needs of ALL learners in their classrooms.  There will be significant opportunity to practice using the technology in class.

Topics to be covered

• an introduction to universal design for learning
• visual supports
• augmentative communication devices (AAC)
• communication boards
• facilitating reading and writing with assistive technology
• access issues as they pertain to the curriculum and resources for those working with assistive technology
• commercially available assistive technology
• free assistive technology that is readily available to all
• variety of Web 2.0 applications that can function effectively as assistive technology
• social media
• Wikis

Anticipated Learning Outcomes 

On successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

•  explore a range of assistive technology applications for Special Needs Learners
•  obtain a general understanding of assistive technology that supports participation, communication and learning in the classroom
•  apply knowledge of assistive technology to improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities in the school settings
•  describe how to adjust units and lesson plans to include assistive technology and Web 2.0 tools
•  examine the principles of Universal Design for Learning strategies and technologies to enhance student participation in school   settings
•  explore a range of low tech to high tech Alternative/Augmentative Communication devices
• create a wiki  to store artifacts, share ideas,  organize and collaborate that fosters student centered learning
• explore and utilize Web 2.0 tools to facilitate learning in the classroom 
• compare Web 2.0 tools to traditional training methodologies 
• develop a plan to use Web 2.0 tools in the school setting  

Recommended Text

Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2002). Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age:  Universal Design for Learning.  Alexandria, VA:  Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

• This text may be read online by following the link to it above.

• A hard copy version of this text may be purchased at Amazon

• This text is NOT available in the University Book Store.

Required Materials

1. One set of headphones and a microphone for use in the computer lab (headset with microphone is acceptable)

2. One USB flash drive (min 1GB)