The field has few experts and limited training opportunities, but a high demand for trained practitioners. To increase the number of people she could reach, Dowden decided to create a distance learning course to meet the needs of practitioners in the field. Implementation Strategies to reach alumni in need of additional AAC training. This class is geared towards meeting client needs, keeping up with the changes in the field, and remaining current on the equipment it utilizes. Providing a distance learning course in AAC was the ideal solution to meeting the demand for training and accommodating the busy schedules of working students.
Students can focus their project work on issues they are facing at their jobs.
An additional advantage to the online medium of the class is that it allows students to interact virtually with guest speakers - including AAC users and international experts who would not be able to participate in a traditional classroom session. She has since revised the course in response to student feedback. Changes include reducing the student workload, providing relevant Web links, and bringing the course completely online. Online tools are transforming the discipline, and the UW program Dowden s involvement and experience in developing and teaching the online course has led to an integration of technology in her classroom courses, her research, and the discipline at large.