IS390 Spring 2022

·         What strategies/criteria did you use to determine when you had gathered enough information to meet your research goal? At this point in my research journey, I know that I have not yet gathered enough material to reach my research goal.   My strategies/criteria I am using is a simple list of questions: Is it relevant to my topic? Can I use excerpts from the article to put in my research paper? Does it fit anywhere in my rough outline for the paper? So far, I have been able to complete enough reading to complete a four page paper, but I need to look for more articles to fill in the gaps of my knowledge.   I still need to learn more about other speech generating devices as well as look into the Autism Spectrum Disorder angle of dealing with speech disabilities. I have a family friend whose son is non-verbal with ASD, and my plan was to sit down with her to learn about their journey.   However, that sit-down with her is on hold...

This week I am currently still at the reading phase of the research.  It’s a comfortable place for me in my journey.  This week alone I was able to gather more material that will help me learn more about AAC technologies.  Amy had pointed out early in the quarter the search engine Carrot 2 , and this week I have utilized the search feature to help with my research journey. Not only did it help point out more articles that could be useful for me to look at, but I also used the “tree map” feature as a mind map that helped introduce other branches and side topics I could potentially add to my research and reading. Below is a screen shot of the tree map results from Carrot 2 when I searched for AAC technologies. This week I did not have any issues, and hopefully it will stay that way for a while.   Next week I hope to have weeded out what articles and topics are not relevant, so I can focus on finding what I really need for rounding out the content for my research pap...

·         How did you select your research topic? What resources did you use, which selection criteria did you follow? At the beginning of my research journey, I had chosen the general subject of Adaptive Technology.   The area of Adaptive Technology is broad already and the type and use of this kind of technology is specific to an individual’s need and disability.   My reason for this area was influenced by a real-world example of my 70-year-old father’s experience with accepting and learning to use his many adaptive devices after he suffered a stroke last year.   My subject area was further narrowed to the area of Adaptive Speech Technology which is often referred to as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices.   Again, I am using real-world and personal experiences with two of my family members that steered me into the area of AAC.   When my daughter was a toddler, we had her in speech therapy to help her...

 With my focus leaning towards Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, I have collected roughly 6 articles that were related to my topic.  Of the six I was able to complete reading through 3 that were helpful and relevant to the subject area I am looking for.  An interesting tidbit I learned about Stephen Hawking this week was that with his AAC device using cheek muscles, he only produced one word per minute.  It dawned on me that the TV interviews I have seen on the news and documentaries were obviously staged and edited to eliminate the idea that it took a considerable amount of time for Hawking to answer in a complete sentence.  What I’m learning is that even though AAC devices to offer people an opportunity to share their thoughts and words, it takes a considerable amount of time and effort to do so when normal speech would have taken a fraction of that time. With that in mind, I'm leaning towards learning more about the challenges AAC devi...

  ·         While exploring and scanning, note at least three new terms you either have not heard before or have seen but do not really understand. Look up those words and provide a meaningful dialogue that explains the terms in the context of your research topic. AAC – augmentative and alternative communication BCI – brain-computer interfaces EEG – electroencephalography SGD – speech-generating devices SMR – sensorimotor rhythm There is a huge gap in my knowledge regarding Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, so I began with a helpful article titled: “Brain-Computer Interfaces for Augmentative and Alternative Communication: A Tutorial.” I figured that a tutorial was a great way to begin to get an introduction to some terms and concepts I am not familiar with.  All the terms listed above are from this article. When I think of brain-computer interfaces (BCI), I have a vision of a device that belongs in the realm of s...

  ·         At this point, your topic should be a fully-fledged question ready to be researched. You need to have identified how you will pursue your research (literature search, surveys, experiments/experience). Include that information in your progress report. I do not yet have a fully-fledged question formed based on my research topic: Adaptive Speech Technology. Even though I narrowed my topic down to a specific area, I now need to find my focus within the realm of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).   Do I want to investigate the devices themselves? If so, which ones? Or do I want to expand on the issues with equity and the disadvantages that low-income individuals have with accessing AAC devices?   I have identified how to pursue my research through articles, journals, and potential interviews with those in the field.   ·         Where should you be in your research journey?...

 Journal Prompt: Consider possible topics for your research project in this course. What interests you about these topics and why do you think they would be a good fit for the course? Which research methodologies do you think will likely serve you well as you begin your research (experiments, literature review, surveys, etc.)? I am leaning towards Adaptive Technology devices that aid those with speech impairment. This area falls under the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), which means all the ways that someone communicates other than speech ( Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) , n.d.) . I have a personal connection to this area that we briefly experienced years ago when my daughter was a toddler and was diagnosed with speech delay.   In the beginnings of her speech therapy, we used picture boards with Velcro attached icons as tools to help her communicate her thoughts and needs. This method is a very low-tech AAC to help with her speech and lan...

  Research topic identified   At this stage of the quarter, I am just now identifying the area of topic I would like to research.  The topic pertaining to Adaptive Technology is vast and varied, so I’m sure that along the way I will end up finding a more specific area of focus in the subject.  I would like to explore how being deaf, blind, and/or unable to use hands and/or feet does not mean you are left behind in a technologically advancing society with the help of Adaptive Technology devices. Planning  I would like to visit the Assistive Technology lab at Olympic College, but according to the OC website access to the lab is by appointment only.   I will inquire about the lab at the beginning of next week. The biggest hurdle for me is to figure out where to start looking. What would most likely help is to fine tune what area of Adaptive Technology I would like to focus on, that way I will be able to find results pertaining to the specific subject. ...