Design to Learn Dissemination Activities
Project Description:
Design to Learn Projects specialize in developing effective assessment and teaching strategies for children and adults with low-incidence disabilities. Our approaches and materials are very practical in nature and are supported by 25 years of research in real life settings. We have conducted extensive research and demonstration projects on the development of communication and cognitive skills in individuals with severe disabilities. Our research results and teaching strategies are widely published and presented to national and international audiences.
The Design to Learn model involves instruction in communication development and concept development that is integrated into typical classroom activities. Hallmarks of the approach include:
assessment data are provided by parents as well as by educational professionals the focus is on instructional contexts and materials that are intrinsically motivating to the student, decreasing the likelihood that extrinsic reinforcement is needed social and physical environments are engineered to provide natural opportunities to learn new skills and to practice existing ones both the students performance and the learning environment are monitored to evaluate instructional progress instructional strategies target the students understanding of communication and concept development skills as well as the physical demonstration of those skills.
The Design to Learn products address the educational needs of children and adults who have severe disabilities, including multiple and "low incidence" disabilities such as deafblindness and autism. Design to Learn materials are especially useful for individuals who do not have conventional means of communication in other words, for nonverbal or nonspeaking individuals. Our products are sold at cost through our web site, www.designtolearn.com.
Our major products are:
First Things First
Tangible Symbol Systems
Communication Matrix
Design to Learn Package
Hands-On Learning
Problem Solving Skills
On the Same Page
Keyword(s):
presymbolic communication, early communication, tangible symbols,
Core Function(s):
Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Quality of Life, Other - Assistive Technology, Other
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
International
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
