In the context of an Augmentative and Alternative Communication course, it is often challenging to teach the subject matter framework information, general device knowledge, device programming, as well as all of the intangibles such as Velcro strategies and light tech board hacks and modifications. As more and more information and research comes onto the scene coupled with the ever expanding list of mid-tech to high-tech speech generating devices, we need to start finding ways to compact the information. One clear focus of assistive technology research for the foreseeable future is looking at ways to get massive amounts of framework and technical knowledge to students who are often busy either in full time school programs or both in a combination of school and employment settings.

Personally, I am being called on in an ever greater way in the speech language division I work in to provide training and tutorials to students in the graduate degree program. While it is important to have a personal touch and bring the concepts to life, it has been helpful to find ways to not reduplicate training and efforts.

Here is one resource my friend Amir Shasavari and I created. It is authored in Keynote, but here is the PowerPoint version. The focus is to help train people about the relatively new Tango! AAC device from Blink Twice. Here at Nova Southeastern University, we are finding it a helpful resource for training graduate students in Speech Language Pathology in their diagnostics as well as their AAC course.

The presentation/ tutorial has features that are important for both online learning and for self study:

• linkable information that goes out to increasingly rich levels of media (video, more directions, downloads)
• solid navigation tools inside the tutorial
• a uniform look and feel to the whole user experience

I hope you find this resource useful and consider the importance of this topic.

Download the tango tutorial in MS PowerPoint

Click the image or here to go to the online flash version.

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I have had creating a video guide to using a step switch on one of my someday/maybe task lists for a few weeks now. I meant to do this in response to how much trouble people have with using this device, especially when they are learning about both the old and new styles. I was very pleased to stumble upon a set of how-to-videos that highlight a number of Ablenet products. I think this is a terrific resource for AAC or AT labs in SLP, Special Education, AT, OT, and any other teacher training programs that benefit from clear and easily shared training resources. Thanks Ablenet! Click the link or image to play the video.

Step-By-Step with Levels Video

Here is the link to the How-to-Videos page on the Ablenet site: http://store.ablenetinc.com/press/multimedia.aspx

“How-To” Videos
All-Turn-It Spinner		Quicktime Movie
Battery Device Adapter with Jelly Beamer		Quicktime Movie
BIG & LITTLE Step-By-Step communicator		Quicktime Movie
BIG & LITTLEmack communicator		Quicktime Movie
BookWorm literacy tool		Quicktime Movie
CRUISE adapted trackpad		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH scanning communicator		Quicktime Movie
iTalk2 communicator		Quicktime Movie
Jelly Beamer wireless switch		Quicktime Movie
Mounting systems		Quicktime Movie
PowerLink 3 control unit		Quicktime Movie
ROCK adapted joystick		Quicktime Movie
Battery-Operated Scissors with Jelly Bean switch		Quicktime Movie
Sensitrac pad with Adjustable Arm		Quicktime Movie
Switch Latch and Timers (SLATs)		Quicktime Movie
Step-By-Step with Levels		Quicktime Movie
SuperTalker progressive communicator		Quicktime Movie
Talking Symbols notepads		Quicktime Movie
WAVE adapted trackball		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH – In-Use Videos
The Out-of-the-Box Experience		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH – A Scanning Communicator		Quicktime Movie
Automatic Overlay Detection		Quicktime Movie
Building Language Libraries		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH’s Adjustable Viewing Angle		Quicktime Movie
Frame Lighting – SEE What You’re Saying		Quicktime Movie
FL4SH’s External Messages Jack		Quicktime Movie
Flexible Communication		Quicktime Movie
Ease of Use		Quicktime Movie
The Benefits of FL4SH		Quicktime Movie
An Unexpected Benefit		Quicktime Movie
Flip – In-Use Videos
Easy to Use		Quicktime Movie
Easy to Set Up		Quicktime Movie
Quiet and Convenient		Quicktime Movie
Accessibility		Quicktime Movie
Flexibility		Quicktime Movie
Shipping Details		Quicktime Movie
Personal Story Videos
Josh’s Story		Quicktime Movie

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