Communication Technology in Education

1
Communication Technology in Education

• By Hollie Paxton, Deja Addison,
• Genesis Hugghis

2
Communication Devices

• Augmentative Alternative Communication
• Classroom Sound Field Systems
• Computer Mediated Instruction
• Asynchronous Communication
• Synchronous Communication

3
Augmentative Alternative CommunicationUsed by
people who do not speak, are difficult to
understand, or have language retrieval
issues.Presented ByHollie Paxton
4
Augmentative Alternative Communication

• Defined by the AAC institute as
• 1) The supplementation or replacement of natural
  speech and/or writing using aided and/or unaided
  symbols...The use of aided symbols requires a
  transmission device.
• 2) The field or area of clinical/educational
  practice to improve the communication skills of
  individuals with little or no functional speech.

5
Categories of AAC

• Unaided those who do not require the use of
  special equipment or materials.
• Aided those who depend on some type of
  equipment or materials.
• Computer hardware or software
• Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
• Other hardware devices

6
Communication Device Features(As Categorized by
Medicare)

• 1. Speech Output-Digitized (recorded human
  speech) or Synthesized (electronic conversion of
  text into speech).
• 2. Message Type- Prerecorded (messages that are
  stored) or Message Formulation (can
• spontaneously create novel messages).

7
Communication Device Features

• 3. Recording Time- less than or equal to 8
  minutes, greater than 8 minutes, or based on the
  memory size of the device in general (e.g., 16
  MB).
• 4. Access Method- Direct Physical Contact with
  Device or Multiple Access Methods (e.g., switch,
  mouse, joystick, etc.).
• 5. Message Formulation Technique- Spelling only
  or Spelling and Other Methods.

8
Example Devices

• Communication Board
• Uses pictures, symbols, or written words to
  facilitate student communication.
• May be low tech or high tech.

9
Example Devices

• Word Prediction Software
• For students who have difficulty writing
• Software guesses at the current word being typed
  and offers suggestions in a list
• Student avoids having to type the entire word and
  the software ensures that the word is spelled
  correctly.

10
Example Devices

• The Talking Series by Laurette Learning Systems
• Interactive software that aids in the development
  of expressive language skills
• Focuses on the use of nouns and verbs
• Activities include the computer speaking the
  words to students, picture matching, picture
  identification, and finding nouns

11
Classroom Sound Field Systems

• PA Systems, Microphones, and Amps
• Presented By
• Deja Addison

12
Small PA Systems vs. Large PA Systems

• Small PA Systems are used in small venues.
• E.g., School Auditoriums, churches, and small
  bars.

13
Small PA Systems vs. Large PA Systems

• Large PA systems are used in larger settings.
• E.g., Popular music concerts

14
Sound Field Systems on the Rise in Schools

• Baltimore County Public Schools as well as other
  schools are joining together to amplify general
  education classrooms with sound field systems.
• If the school board approves the schools
  proposal, systems may be put in up to 25
  classrooms in 8 elementary schools.

15
Higher Test Scores

• Schools across the country are seeing higher test
  scores because of amplification systems. They
  think HEARING is BELIEVING. The amplification
  systems are now moving out of special education
  classrooms and into the mainstream because
  administrators realize that this benefits all
  students, not just special education classrooms.
• Approximately 160,000 classrooms in the United
  States have discovered sound field systems. This
  number grows about 20, annually.
• In the West Orange, NJ school district,
  improvement in test scores was so significant
  that the district invested in sound field systems
  for every classroom.

16
Benefits of Sound-Field Amplification Systems

• Improved academic achievement, especially for
  younger students.
• Decreased distractibility and increased on-task
  behavior.
• Increased attention to verbal instruction and
  activities and improved understanding.
• Decreased number of requests for repetition.
• Decreased test taking time.
• Improved spelling ability under degraded
  listening conditions.
• Improved listening test scores.
• Increased language growth.
• Improved student voicing when speaking.
• Increased confidence when speaking.
• Improved ease of listening and teaching.
• Reduced vocal strain and fatigue for teachers.
• Reduced special education referral rate.
• Increase in seating options for students with
  hearing loss.

17
Computer Mediated InstructionCommunication via
separate computersPresented by Genesis Hugghis
18
Asynchronous Communication

• Asynchronous Communication items can be posted
  and viewed at different times
• E-mail
• Electronic Bulletin Board Systems
• Newsgroups

19
Asynchronous Communication

• Disadvantages

• Advantages

• Very flexible individuals can access
  information at their own convenience.
• Ideal for individuals in different geographic
  and/or time zones.
• Allows time to think about subject.
• Materials can be viewed as many times as needed.
• Opportunity to Build bonds through e-mail base
  conferences

• Group activities and decisions take longer.
• Timely feedback is difficult.
• If you receive feedback at all
• Allows for more procrastination.

20
Synchronous Communication

• Synchronous Communication participants
  communicating in real time.
• Live assessment testing and voting
• Instant messaging
• Voice streaming
• Video conferencing and web casting

21
Synchronous Communication

• Advantages

• Disadvantages

• Interactive feedback on ideas.
• Real-time clarification of facts.
• More opportunities to collaborate with
  classmates.

• All parties must be online at the same time
  (difficult for those in different time zones).
• Problematic for long periods of time.
• Requires higher level of technology.

22
Synchronous Vs. Asynchronous
23
Sources

• AAC Institute. AAC. Retrieved April 23, 2008,
  from http//www.aacinstitute.org/AAC.html
• Associated Press, The (2008, April 24). A LOL
  matter? Teens Slip texting talk into assignments.
  USA Today.
• Boswell, S. (2006,May 23). Sound Field Systems on
  the rise in schools Improved tests scores cited
  as benefit. The ASHA Leader, 11(7), 1,32-33.
• Daniels, T. Pethel, M. (2005). Computer
  Mediated Communications. Retrieved May 2, 2008 ,
  from http//projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?t
  itleComputer_Mediated_Instruction
  Summary_-_Computer_Mediated_Education

24
Sources

• Friend, M. (2008). Special Education
  Contemporary Perspectives for School
  Professionals. Massachusetts Pearson Education
• Hann, G Matsumura, S. (2004). Computer Anxiety
  and Students Preferred Feedback Methods in EFL
  Writing. The Modern Language Journal. Vol. 88,
  No.3 pp. 403-415.
• Hernadez, N. (2008, March 20). Effort to Stretch
  Curriculum Comes Up Short at Largo High. The
  Washington Post, pp. A01
• Iglehart, F. (2004,June). Speech Perception by
  Students with Cochlear Implants Using Sound-
  Field Systems in Classrooms. American Journal of
  Audiology, Vol.13 62-72

25
Sources

• Ross, M. and Levitt, H. (2005,Jan 11).
  Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on
  Hearing Enhancement. Volta Voices (March/April
  2002).
• Tech Connections. (2002 December). Communication
  Devices. Retrieved April 23,2008, from
  http//www.assistivetech.net/ at_reports/guides/Co
  mmDevices.pdf