Educational innovation and assistive technology application: Number Dots & creative teaching

  • 2024-10-29
  • Fan-Ting Li
Educational innovation and assistive technology application: Number Dots & creative teaching Educational innovation and assistive technology application: Number Dots & creative teaching

Summary

Course Introduction

"Educational Innovation and Assistive Technology Applications" is a professional course designed for educators, aiming to equip them with the latest assistive technologies to enhance the learning outcomes of students with special needs. The course covers concepts of educational aids and innovations, digital dot teaching techniques, communication, math, literacy tools, and the application of digital learning aids. Through real-life teaching cases and hands-on demonstrations, it emphasizes practical use. Participants will learn how to effectively implement assistive tools in Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to support personalized learning and promote the SDG4 goal of educational equity and inclusiveness for quality education.

Course Highlights

  1. Practical Focus: The course integrates real-life teaching cases with hands-on tool demonstrations to apply learned concepts in practice.
  2. Diverse Assistive Tools: Covers the design principles of multi-functional tools such as digital dots to support students with visual impairments, multiple disabilities, and more.
  3. Integration of Laws and Human Rights: Incorporates the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Special Education Act to ensure every student’s right to education.
  4. Alignment with SDG4 Goals: Promotes educational equity, inclusiveness, and lifelong learning opportunities in line with SDG4.

Course Objectives

Through this course, students will acquire key knowledge and skills, including:

  1. Equity and Inclusiveness in Education: Understanding how assistive technologies foster equal learning opportunities, particularly in inclusive education settings.
  2. Application and Innovation of Assistive Technology: Learning about various tools, including communication aids, math tools, and literacy devices, and how to integrate them into teaching.
  3. Personalized Learning: Gaining the ability to design and implement individualized education plans (IEPs) using assistive tools to meet diverse student needs.
  4. Human Rights in Education: Understanding students' rights to expression, literacy, and education and the importance of assistive tools in safeguarding these rights.
  5. Laws and Policy Implementation: Familiarizing with CRPD and the Special Education Act regarding assistive technology use and inclusive education practices.
  6. Digital and Lifelong Learning: Exploring how digital learning tools promote skills development and continuous learning.
  7. Practical Application: Mastering digital dot tools through hands-on practices to provide effective learning support for students with special needs.

Instructor

Professor Yang Shu-Jun

Profile:
Professor Yang is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Digital Media at Asia University and the founder/CEO of BESPA Education. With 31 years of experience in special education, her expertise spans teaching students with various disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, autism, visual impairment, and dual sensory impairments. Professor Yang has developed patented cognitive communication tools using digital dots to meet students' diverse learning needs. Her dedication ensures that students' rights to education, expression, and social participation are realized, creating opportunities for lifelong learning.

Course Schedule

  • Unit 1: Introduction to Disability Perspectives and Assistive Tools
  • Unit 2: Educational Innovation and Assistive Technology Applications
  • Unit 3: Assistive Technology and Individualized Teaching
  • Unit 4: Digital Dot Design Concepts and Applications
  • Unit 5: Midterm Exam
  • Unit 6: Communication Tools and Case Studies
  • Unit 7: Math Tools and Case Studies
  • Unit 8: Phonetic Symbol Systems and Case Studies
  • Unit 9: Digital Learning and Future Development
  • Unit 10: Final Exam

Course Content

  1. Introduction to Disability Perspectives and Assistive Tools
    • Understanding the development of social and human rights models for disabilities and exploring various assistive tools (mobility, communication, educational aids) with practical applications.
  2. Educational Innovation and Applications
    • Discussing educational challenges, innovations, and the development of assistive tools in modern education.
  3. Assistive Technology and Individualized Teaching
    • Integrating assistive tools into IEPs to improve students’ learning outcomes.
  4. Digital Dot Design and Application
    • Exploring the design principles and teaching applications of digital dot technology in special education.
  5. Communication Tools and Case Studies
    • Enhancing students' expressive abilities through communication aids.
  6. Math Tools and Case Studies
    • Addressing learning difficulties through assistive math tools.
  7. Phonetic Symbol Systems and Case Studies
    • Developing literacy skills using innovative symbol systems and teaching techniques.
  8. Digital Learning and Future Development
    • Promoting digital skills and equal learning opportunities through digital tools.

Grading Criteria

  • In-class Quizzes: 80% (8 quizzes)
  • Midterm Exam: 10%
  • Final Exam: 10%

Passing Score: 60/100

Prerequisites

No prior knowledge is required. The course is open to those interested in psychology, sociology, inclusive education, special education, or disability studies.

Recommended Reading

  1. Sternberg, R. J., & Sternberg, K. (2017). Cognitive Psychology (Trans. Li Hong-Yi). Cengage Learning.
  2. Qi, B. (2021). Children’s Language and Communication Development. Psychology Press.
  3. Zhan, S.-Y., & Yang, S.-L. (Eds.). (2017). Overcoming Math Learning Difficulties: Theory and Practice. Psychology Press.
  4. Chen, D., & Downing, J. E. (2019). Tactile Strategies for Students with Multiple Sensory Impairments (Trans. Xiao Fei-Wen). Huiming Blind School, Taichung.
  5. Yang, C.-K. (Ed.). (2015). Assistive Technology Service Handbook. Ministry of Health and Welfare.
  6. Li, S.-Z., & Yu, Y.-X. (2011). CNS 15390: Assistive Technology Classification Manual. Ministry of Health and Welfare.
  7. Assistive Technology Resources Portal. (n.d.). Ministry of Health and Welfare. https://newrepat.sfaa.gov.tw/home