Engineering the Classroom for Communication
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Transcript of Engineering the Classroom for Communication
Engineering the Classroomfor Communication
Susan Drysdale, M.Ed., M.A., CCC-SLP
2007-2008 School Year
CAIU MDS ClassCamp Hill HS
Susan Way, M. Special Ed., teacher
Dedicated to the STAFF & STUDENTS who made this possible
Engineering the Classroom
• Involves…– delineating, prioritizing, & preparing classroom
environments to facilitate language development, communication & literacy
– providing access to materials & technology including AAC devices & AT equipment for all students
– using teaching techniques/strategies• Aided language stimulation• least-to-most prompting• choice making
• Engineered classrooms…– are especially beneficial for nonverbal students &/or
students with multiple disabilities; verbal students can also benefit
– require considerable planning to design & create
What Are Some of the Needs?
Beginning of the Year
Needs Assessment Tool
• Teacher completed• Identified
– class needs– staff needs
• 2 areas of focus selected– provide students means to
improve comprehension of structured learning/work activities/tasks
– Teacher/staff learn/use no-tech communication strategies & materials (e.g., schedules, picture communication systems, boards/overlays)
Engineering the Classroom for CURRENT needs…
What Would We Provide?
• Visually-based materials– Communication boards– Communication books– Sentence starters flip chart
• Aided language stimulation technique• Access to technology including
– AAC devices– AT equipment– Computer
• Organization & flexibility of physical space
Mid-Year Milestones
On-site Training
AAC to Gain Attention
AAC for Peer Interaction
Using Excel for Spelling
Communication Board to Aid
Expressive Language
Number Board to Aid Comprehension
Communication Book to Aid
Expressive Language
End of the Year
Communication Boardto Aid
Expressive Language
AAC Device to Aid Comprehension
Sentence Starters Flip Chart to Aid Comprehension
Peer Photos to Aid Comprehension
AAC Device to Communicate Needs
Using Intellikeys to Access Excel for Spelling
AAC to SupportGroup Activity
Communication Boardto Aid
Expressive Language
AAC Device to Aid Comprehension
Needs Assessment Revisited
Teacher Completed in May, 2008
What Were Student Gains?
• Provided with… – means to participate &
communicate– access to materials &
technology equipment
• Improved language skills– receptive language– expressive language
• Increased peer/staff social communication interactions
• Enhanced self-esteem
How Did the Staff Benefit?
• Learned how to… – prepare/use visually-based materials
• communication boards & displays• communication books• sentence starters flip chart• digital photos/graphics
– provide some group activities for all or most students to participate & communicate
– use …• AAC devices/AT equipment• Aided language stimulation technique
• Improved organization, flexibility, & creative use of limited physical space
What Do We Know?• On-site training is essential & applied immediately
– software– AAC devices– AT equipment– computer access– design & preparation of materials
• Consultation with staff must be ongoing• Preparation takes planning well in advance• Time & effort needed to engineer the classroom• Students…
– are more focused– better able to participate & communicate– have more opportunities to interact with staff & peers
Plans for 2008-2009
• Needs assessment completed early in September– Identify 2-3 areas of focus– Schedule regular on-site trainings based on staff needs
• Design & prepare materials far in advance of planned activities/tasks
• Purchase/create electronic materials accessible to all students– Books/adapted books– Games & puzzles– Activities (e.g., art, music, reading, math)
• Organize & share materials
CAIU Professional Staff
Susan Drysdale, SLPJean Mulligan, Vision SpecialistSusan Way, MDS Teacher
Alecia Staley, B.A., TSSKeystone Human Services
Other Professional Staff
Kathy BrechbeilMary BuchananMarie Lewis
Paraprofessional Staff
John AhernLaura DeArment (transferred 01/25/08)
William DudleyGlenn FullerPhillip HenryJustin LingenfelterHarry SpilkerQuentin Tyler
CAIU Students
andCamp Hill HS students who provided
support to CAIU students
Now we can begin Engineering the Classroom
for FUTURE needs…