Between the ASHA Convention and preparations for Thanksgiving, we’re dragging. Luckily, comedian Lee Ridley (“The Lost Voice Guy”) is ready to give us a smile.
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: humor, Lee Ridley, word prediction
It’s a great week to learn more about the app, Verbally. which has both a free and premium versions. General Product Information Video Overview Where to Go for Help: Email verbally@intuary.com
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: Apps, Teach Me Tuesday, text-to-speech, Verbally, word prediction
Word prediction is a rate enhancement strategy available in many high tech AAC devices. Which of the following is true about word prediction in longer words? It always saves time. It always saves time and keystrokes. It always saves keystrokes, and sometimes saves time. It always saves time, and sometimes saves keystrokes. It never saves time. In longer words, word prediction always saves keystrokes because the user is inputting only a portion of the word. This is helpful in that it reduces fatigue. It can also save time for some users, but that is not always the case. Some users have difficulty shifting back and forth between inputting letters and reviewing the options that are predicted by the device or computer. This slows the communication process. For users like this, there may not be a time savings. So #3 is the correct answer. For more information on the variables that... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: rate, word prediction
As we wrap up a month of AAC and literacy, let’s look at a strategy that spans communication, reading, and writing. Word prediction, as you know, is a strategy in which the learner begins spelling a word and the AAC device provides a word bank of possible options using a prediction algorithm. There are lots of kinds and levels of prediction, and the technology keeps getting better and better. Word prediction is built into most high tech SGDs, many text-to-speech apps, and some writing programs. In this post we consider some of the issues around using and teaching word prediction. Time and Effort Word prediction (WP) saves keystrokes, which is important for our prAACtical friends who have limited energy, poor endurance, and issues with fatigue. Does it save time? Not always, and there were some important studies that revealed this in the mid-1990’s. Of course, technology has improved a lot... [Read More...]
Filed under: Strategy of the Month
Tagged With: literacy, word prediction
We’re off to a great start for Better Hearing and Speech Month! Today’s Fresh Look post comes from one of the most experienced AAC SLPs in the United States. Joan Bruno, Ph.D., CCC-SLP has over 30 years experience working in the field of AAC. She is currently maintains a private practice consulting to schools and private agencies and is the Augmentative Communication Specialist at the TECHConnection in Shrewsbury, NJ. Joan has published and presented nationally and internationally on a variety of topics related to AAC assessment and intervention. Joan is the 2011-2013 President of the New Jersey Speech and Hearing Association, and a Past-President of the United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Since 1992, she has directed Camp Chatterbox, a therapy camp for children using AAC devices. Joan is the author of the Gateway to Language and Learning© page set and the Test of Aided-Communication Symbol Performance© (TASP). In... [Read More...]
Filed under: PrAACtical Thinking
Tagged With: core vocabulary, curriculum, Fresh Look, general education, inclusion, Joan Bruno, Language Arts, schools, word prediction