Assistive Technology in the Classroom

Getting Started

This course has been developed and updated by SET-BC consultants and is delivered asynchronously online. Participants can complete the course at their own pace, either individually or as a school or district cohort. If you have any questions or difficulties while completing the various modules, please contact us at servicedelivery@setbc.org for assistance.

Each module in the course includes a narrated content presentation with supporting activities and resource materials. The activities and resource materials allow participants to engage more fully with the course content and to reflect on how their learning relates to their own educational practice.

Note! – All PDF Activities and Handouts are available as word.docx files in this zip file.

Design & FAQ

This self-directed course is divided into seven modules. These include:

• Module 1: Course Introduction – Introduction to the course content
• Module 2: Overview of Assistive Technology – General overview including definition of assistive technology, main genres with examples of students using various technologies
• Module 3: Effective Assistive Technology Implementation – Components of an effective AT implementation plan, barriers that prevent implementation, and conditions that foster implementation
• Module 4: Assistive Technology to Support Learning – Current educational trends that utilize common and assistive technologies, examples of technology that can support intellectual access to the curriculum
• Module 5: Assistive Technology to Support Participation – Issues support students with physical access or sensory (visual) impairments and examples of technologies that support physical and sensory access to the curriculum
• Module 6: Assistive Technology to Support Communication – Considerations when supporting students with communication disorders in the classroom

How do I get started?

• You can start the course at any time or at any point in the listed modules. However, we do recommend, to get the most out of the information presented and to understand the overall context of supporting technology in the classroom, you do start with Module 1 and progress through the modules sequentially. It is also suggested that you consider going through the course with one or more colleagues as there are opportunities for reflection and discussion and having others to share content understanding will make the course not only more enjoyable but also more meaningful.
• To get started, simply return to the course content and click on each Module link to go to the content and resources for that module.

Is there homework?

• Each module has an activities area that contains a handout that contains activities to help you engage more fully with the content presented. There are also opportunities to reflect on your learning and how it relates to your own educational practice. As this is a self-directed course, it is entirely up to you as to how many of these activities you wish to complete. There is no requirement to submit any of the activities – they are for your learning support only.

What if I need help?

• If you run into any problems while completing any of the modules (e.g. something isn’t working, you don’t understand a concept, you want further information) simply send an email to us at training@setbc.org. While there is no official course facilitator, members of the SET-BC Provincial Team can assist with any issues or questions you may have. If you do send us an email, we will try and respond as quickly as possible.

How can I extend my learning?

• Each module contains a resource area that contains links to further explore the concepts presented in the course. You can follow the links that interest you the most and that you feel would be helpful to your learning.

Please Note – In this video, the presenter mentions that there are seven modules. This updated course contains just six modules.