ETC 548 Assistive Technology in
the Lifespan
Department of Educational Specialties
(Spring 2007)
| General Information |
| Pre-requisites & Requirements |
Expectations and Responsibilities
| Course Descriptions |
Educators and other public service providers generally know very little about the tools and legal mandates for accommodating individuals with special needs. This is especially poignant for those who concern themselves professionally with educational and information technology for they are likely to be called upon to recommend technological solutions. The problem is not simply a technical one; it involves negotiating the accommodations with a team of professionals concerned about the well being of the individual with a disability and determining the necessary resources. This course surveys the field of assistive technology as it impacts the lives of people with disabilities, including the performance of tasks related to employment, education and activities of daily living.
| Learning Goals & Outcomes |
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the assistive technology (AT) devices and services that can assist a person with a disability overcome the functional limitations imposed by that disability. Students will review basic information about assistive devices and services, learn about specific AT devices and potential applications of these devices, become familiar with funding sources for AT devices or services, and learn about federal legislation and public policy that addresses AT.
Objective One
Describe assistive technology and state the potential impact of AT devices and services for persons with disabilities
* Define assistive devices and services
* State the benefits a person with a disability, and community at large, experience with the application of appropriate AT devices and services
* Identify and discuss the role of culture in the application and use of AT
Objective Two
Describe the major frameworks for thinking about and assessing persons with disabilities for appropriate AT devices and services
* Describe and be able to gather information using the Human Performance Model (HPM)
* Describe and be able to gather information using the Student, Environment, Task, and Tools (SETT) framework
Objective Three
Describe and be able to gather information using the Matching Persons to Technology (MPT) framework Identify and describe the application of a variety of AT devices and services used to assist persons with disabilities in education, work, daily living tasks, and community settings.
* Differentiate between simple low-tech and more complex high-tech solutions
* Identify and describe typical applications of technology in seating, positioning, and mobility
* Identify and describe typical applications of technology for access and control
* Identify and describe typical applications of technologies for writing an computer access
* Identify and describe typical applications of technologies for communication
* Identify and describe typical applications of technologies for reading, studying, and math
* Identify and describe typical applications of technologies for vision and hearing impairments
* Identify and describe typical applications of technologies for activities of daily living
Objective Four
Develop a working knowledge of relevant state and federal legislation or policies on AT and available funding sources for AT devices and services.
* Identify relevant state and federal legislation concerning AT
* Describe the specific requirements included in each law
* Differentiate between legislation that establishes an entitlement, one that provides discretionary funding or policy, and civil rights laws
* State the impact of federal and state legislation on the provision and use of AT devices and services
* List and describe major sources of funding for AT devices and services
* Discuss the process of developing a funding plan for AT devices and services
* Describe AT service delivery systems and list their relative advantages and disadvantages
Objective Five
Become conversant with special issues in the delivery of AT services
* Discuss current issues in the provision of AT devices and services
* Discuss the need to train persons with disabilities, their caregivers, and service personnel in the use of AT devices
* Discuss the role of staff development in providing AT services
* Discuss the issue of technology abandonment
This course is also aligned with ISTE/NCATE standards
- II.C.1 TF: Assist teachers as they identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability based on district and state standards.
- II.C.2 TF: Model technology integration using resources that reflect content standards
- II.D.1 TF: Provide teachers with options for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities.
- III.A.1 TF: Use methods and strategies for teaching concepts and skills that support integration of technology productivity tools (refer to NETS for Students).
- III.A.3 TF: Use methods and strategies for teaching concepts and skills that support integration of research tools (refer to NETS for Students).
- III.A.4 TF: Use methods and strategies for teaching concepts and skills that support integration of problem solving/ decision-making tools (refer to NETS for Students).
- III.A.5 TF: Use methods and strategies for teaching concepts and skills that support use of media-based tools such as television, audio, print media, and graphics.
- III.C.1 TF: Use methods and facilitate strategies for teaching problem solving principles and skills using technology resources.
- III.E.1 TF: Describe and identify curricular methods and strategies that are aligned with district/region/state/ national content and technology standards.
- IV.A.1 TF: Model the use of technology tools to assess student learning of subject matter using a variety of assessment techniques.
- IV.A.2 TF: Assist teachers in using technology to improve learning and instruction through the evaluation and assessment of artifacts and data.
- IV.C.1 TF: Assist teachers in using recommended evaluation strategies for improving students' use of technology resources for learning, communication, and productivity
- V.C.3 TF: Demonstrate the use of specific-purpose electronic devices (such as graphing calculators, language translators, scientific probeware, or electronic thesaurus) in content areas.
- V.C.4 TF: Use a variety of distance learning systems and use at least one to support personal and professional development.
- V.C.5 TF: Use instructional design principles to develop hypermedia and multimedia products to support personal and professional development.
- V.C.6 TF: Select appropriate tools for communicating concepts, conducting research, and solving problems for an intended audience and purpose.
- V.D.1 TF: Model the use of telecommunications tools and resources for information sharing, remote information access, and multimedia/ hypermedia publishing in order to nurture student learning.
- VII.B.1 TF: Identify instructional software to support and enhance the school curriculum and develop recommendations for purchase
- VII.B.6 TF: Use distance and online learning facilities.
- VIII.D.4 TL: Develop curriculum activities or performances that meet national, state, and local technology standards.
| Course Materials |
Required Textbooks
Note: If the newer editions/versions are available, please obtain the newer ones.
Everyone enrolled in this course will need to have a TaskStream electronic portfolio subscription, and be enrolled in the appropriate TaskStream "Program" which contains your program portfolio. Please note that the first 2,000 NAU students who purchase TaskStream subscriptions are eligible for a $10 discount on their subscriptions or renewals. More information about purchasing a TaskStream subscription and enrolling into a TaskStream Program is available in the “Student Resources” section of the portfolio project website: http://portfolio.coe.nau.edu.
| Reading Resources |
| Delivery System |
Course will be delivered on WebCT Vista at http://vista.nau.edu, not WebCT Campus Edition (CE).
| Notes |
This is a course description not a final syllabus for the course.
This page is featured with commenting/discussions on Diigo (http://www.diigo.com) (Sample image). To view the comments and participate the discussions, please:
This course uses Twitter to make course announcement. If you would like to get updated, please visit this URL to follow the course Twitter. If you can access your Twitter on your mobile phone, by following course Twitter, you can get updated on all course announcements.
Course Blog
This course integrates Blog as course activities and shared learning resrouces archive. Feel free to follow the course Blog. Course Blog.
Tips for creating Web 2.0 accounts.
It is important for those interested in this class to consult their program advisor and the instructor before enrolling. If you have questions regarding this course, please e-mail the instructor, Chih-Hsiung Tu, Ph.D. at Chih.Tu@Nau.Edu or 928-523-0671.