Assistive Technology Professional Development
Kelli Sprenger
Assistive Technology Professional Development
Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
Oakland Schools invited the director and conductor-teachers of the Conductive Learning Center, as well as the POHI students of Aquinas College to attend a professional development opportunity to learn about the assistive technologies available for children in education settings. Jan Ashcraft and Dawn Jones, both consultants for the Oakland School District, lead our group through a comprehensive and informative session. The day started with a slideshow of definitions, approaches, features, and types of assistive technology devices. It was very helpful in understanding all of the considerations that go into deciding if an assistive technology (AT) is necessary for better functioning in school and, if so, what kind and how often it would be used. The picture on the right is the SETT Framework Consideration/Intervention. It is one system for determining need and use of AT. We were given demonstrations of several different kinds of AT, as well as time to explore and use them for ourselves. The picture on the bottom left shows a low-tech communication board containing core vocabulary. At the end of the day, one of the students of this program came in to meet with us and show us how she uses AT in her everyday life. As it is difficult for her to produce understandable speech, she uses a computerized eye gazing system: a system that tracks her eye movements in order for her to make choices, spell words, navigate between screens, etc. It was great to see one of the assistive technologies being used to allow this student to communicate with us.
This professional development opportunity shows that my professional learning is still an on-going process. It was not a requirement for me to attend this PD, but it was something that I felt I could learn from. I feel that I will be better able to make recommendations and advise families when the time comes because of this learning opportunity. It was truly a great experience.
This professional development opportunity shows that my professional learning is still an on-going process. It was not a requirement for me to attend this PD, but it was something that I felt I could learn from. I feel that I will be better able to make recommendations and advise families when the time comes because of this learning opportunity. It was truly a great experience.