AAC Simulator

Description

The Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) Simulator is a simulation training tool designed to support people who work with individuals with disabilities to become better communication partners. When using the AAC Simulator online platform, learners can build a communication board, test the board in a simulated interaction with a non-verbal communication partner and review the use-analytics of the board. These analytics can then be used to help adjust the communication board for improved interactions.

The AAC Simulator was developed in partnership with the Emerging Media Lab (EML), Learning Design and Digital Innovation (LDDI) and faculty in the department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS) for the course EPSE 411: Augmentative and Alternative Communication for Individuals with Severe Speech and/or Physical Impairments.

The initial project began at EML in summer 2022, supported by a team of students. Development was then continued with support from EML and funding from the Edith Lando Virtual Learning Centre. Further development was required to ensure functionality, ease of use and improved analytics.

Goals

The learning goals for the AAC Simulator are to:

• Provide practical experience in a low-stakes environment for learners looking to improve their communication skills with people with complex communication needs;
• Facilitate learners’ understanding of the difficulty of vocabulary prediction, the importance of culture and context, and the limits of using a communication board; and
• Leverage data analytics to prompt reflection and facilitate building new and more effective iterations of the communication board.

Project Team

Principal Investigator: Tammy McEachern-Hughes (Adjunct Professor, ECPS)

Principal Investigator: Gabrielle Coombs (Learning Designer, LDDI)

Emerging Media Lab Team

Student Team:

• Rae Jourard, Project Lead (May 2022 – August 2022)
• Michelle Huynh, Developer (May 2022 – August 2022)
• Michael O’Keefe, Developer (May 2022 – August 2022)
• Jena Arianto, Designer (May 2022 – August 2022)
• Vita Chan, Designer (May 2022 – August 2022)
• Olivia Chen, Designer (May 2022 – August 2022)

Support and platform development: Catherine Winters (EML)

Sample Videos

AAC Simulator Board Maker Tutorial

The video tutorial below demonstrates how to make a communication board in the AAC Simulator online platform.

AAC Simulator Board Maker Tutorial

The video tutorial below demonstrates how to use your communication board in a virtual environment with a communication partner.