Pittsburgh AAC Language Seminar Series:
Measure, Measure, Measure: Using Data to Track Language Development
DAY 1 – (10AM – 5:30PM EST)
Core Vocabulary
Language Acquisition
Communication Partner Training
UNITY® Language System – Hands-on Time
DAY 2 – (10AM – 5:30PM EST)
Guest Speaker Presentation (Details Below)
DAY 3 – (10AM – 5:30PM EST)
System Design and User Success
Language Development in the Classroom
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Conversation with Chris Klein (UNITY® system user)
PASS Software Training
Natural Polysemy
Measure, Measure, Measure: Using Data to Track Language Development
Russell Cross, BSc. (Hons.), DipCST, MRCSLT
The mantra of “Model, Model, Model” has become a powerful call-to-action to anyone working in AAC. However, as an individual becomes more proficient at independent communicating, the modelling can stop and the focus can turn more to the enrichment of language as a means of personal expression. Deciding when to decrease the amount of modelling can be helped by looking for “evidence of brilliance,” those unexpected flashes of creative language use that suggest that a client is becoming much more independent.
In this presentation, we’ll be looking at how to look for evidential data that is observable, measurable, and actionable, which can then help in the creation of goals and action plans. By adopting a strategy of “measure, measure, measure” it becomes possible to move on from “model, model, model.” There will be a focus on using the Realize Language data logging analysis tool, which works with all PRC-Saltillo devices, but we’ll also look at more general data collection and analysis tools and strategies.