Today was
all about hands-on learning: we were asked create an activity and design a
selection set using an app called Proloquo2Go.
But before we broke off into our pairs, we were introduced to a few AAC Myths. The first myth “AAC
does not impeded speech and language development” this surprised me as this would
not enter my mind, I only see AAC as enhancing one’s ability to communicate. The second myth “No one has to start with a paper based or low tech AAC
system before moving on to a high tech system” …since the choice of which AAC
technology tool to use is based on the individual’s ability – physical and
cognitive - like the first one this one also causes me to wonder why it exists as a myth…
At first, learning
to use an iPad and a new app proved to be a bit of a challenge for me.…and
I am still not totally comfortable with the iPad…. but I know that I will eventually get
there.
Learning
the Proloquo2Go app was a bit easier especially because I was fortunate enough to be working with a partner who was familiar
with the iPad. Our challenge was navigating Proloquo2Go.
Our
Proloquo2Go activity was to be used by a grade one student named Ruby. Ruby is
a six-year old little girl who lives in England, and has autism. Ruby is quite
familiar with an iPad and an iPod touch, and is already quite proficient when it
comes to using Prologue2go. My partner and I made an assumption that most
children her age love to share, so we decided to base our activity on Show and
Tell. We called our version “Show and Share.” Another adaptation we made was not
to include the whole class, only a pair of students at first. This first pair
would include Ruby and another classmate who would share and play with a toy.
After
spending time working with Proloquo2go, an app that combines vocabulary and activities to help enhance communication and language development, I was totally impressed. Regardless of the age of the student
it is definitely one to consider when suggesting AAC technology. As with most new technology there are challenges this one is no exception. For a new user the time to learn the app, then teach your student and the student’s support network how to use the app, and finally designing the grids. However,
once the student works with it and as long as they are using it regularly the benefits out way the challenges.
It
was amazing how quickly the morning went when we worked on this. One minute we
were breaking off to work on our assignment and the next, it was time to hand
in our iPads and leave for the day.
Another day
of great learning! ….....
I'm glad I wasn't the only person who was impressed with the Proloquo2Go app. It is definitely a challenge to learn how to use the app and to create the boards, but I feel once we've done it a couple times it would be really quick to make a bunch more! I love that the app already has many many folders with words created. It is easy to access them and add them to our main board.
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