Johns Hopkins University Offers graduate degrees in Education:

Assistive Technology

Adviser: John Castellani (Columbia), 410-516-9755

This 15-credit certificate program prepares special educators, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists to integrate assistive technology with instruction for improving communication and social interaction of students with disabilities. Participants learn best practices for the evaluation, acquisition, training, and use of assistive technologies in teaching communication and social skills. Students design and evaluate technology-based communication strategies within a multidisciplinary team.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's or master's degree in education or in a related field from an accredited institution of higher education and possess skills equivalent to those taught in 893.515 Hardware, Operating, and Networking Systems for Schools.

Requirements (15 Credits)

Take the following three courses for a total of nine credits:

Choose one course from the following for a total of three credits:

Choose one course from the following for a total of three credits:

 

  • 892.560 Assistive Technology for Educating Individuals with Low Incidence Disabilities

    (Lab Class) Participants explore a wide range of assistive technology applications for children with disabilities. Students consider needs based on the type of disabling condition, such as physical, cognitive, sensory disabilities, or multiple complex needs, as demonstrated by children with pervasive developmental disorders such as autism. Exploration of technology emphasizes the integration of assistive technology into effective instructional practices that improve learning research on best practices for the implementation of technology-based solutions. (3 credits)

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  • 892.562 Access to General Education Curriculum with Technology Accommodations

    (Lab Class) Class members investigate student characteristics, the collaborative role of educators, and strategies for differentiating instruction for students with learning disabilities within the general education environment. Participants examine universal design for learning strategies and technologies to enhance student participation in educational programs. (3 credits)

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  • 892.548 Assistive Technology Evaluation: A Team Approach

    (Lab Class) Participants examine collaborative models for conducting assistive technology evaluations. Class members investigate a variety of methods for assessing how technology improves student performance and learning outcomes. Students explore methods of finding and developing resources to support team evaluations that identify how assistive technology can promote learning. (3 credits)

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  • 892.565 Assistive Technology to Support Language and Literacy Development

    (Lab Class) Participants examine the current literature on development of language and literacy as it relates to children with disabilities. Students evaluate the critical components of a balanced literacy program. Focus is on the assessment of student need for instructional support to improve performance on literacy indicators. Class members develop technology-based instructional strategies that promote student progress toward literacy outcomes. (3 credits)

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  • 892.561 Advanced Applications of Assistive Technology for Individuals with Disabilities

    Students study strategies for integrating assistive technology into instruction using an in-depth problem solving approach. This course utilizes a case study approach to support the application of research to effective instructional practices to the development of advanced technology-based interventions for students with special needs. Students analyze the individual needs of the child, environmental factors, task demands, and educational goals. Class members design projects that solve instructional dilemmas by skillfully applying assistive technology to improve access to learning. (3 credits)

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  • 892.546 Computer Access for Individuals with Disabilities

    (Lab Class) Participants evaluate various adapted computer technologies that enable students with disabilities to participate in effective instructional programs. Using a hands-on approach, students acquire skills and knowledge of essential microcomputer operations, technical requirements for connecting various adaptive devices to computers, tools to make adjustments for individual needs, and conceptual frameworks in the selection of appropriate access strategies. Students design technology-supported instructional interventions using current research in the effective uses of computer access devices for learning. (3 credits)

    Prerequisite(s): ED.893.515

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  • 892.800 Graduate Internship in Assistive Technology

    The graduate internship provides students the opportunity to individualize their program experience, to sharpen existing skills, to gain new skills, and to pursue their technology interests. The internship is designed to produce a professional, customized learning experience that stretches the student through his/her participation in the development, design, implementation, or evaluation of high-quality technology products, projects, or services. Internships are aligned to individual student’s schedules and can include collaborative opportunities with public and private sector organizations and agencies that have local, regional, national, or international interests. (3 credits)

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