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Advancing Access to Technology at The Vista School®
Recognizing the critical role technology plays in work, community, and educational settings, The Vista School continues to enhance its students’ access to cutting-edge tools. Thanks to the generosity of The Vista School PTO, this mission has reached new heights.
The school initially aimed to provide one iPad per classroom for reinforcement purposes, offering students an engaging way to strengthen targeted behaviors. For example, students might earn leisure time with an iPad as a reward for meeting specific behavioral goals, such as responding to prompts within a set timeframe.
However, the PTO’s support allowed Vista to surpass this goal, equipping each classroom with two devices: an iPad dedicated to reinforcement and an iPad mini equipped with Proloquo2Go, a leading augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) application. This app is designed to give individuals who struggle with verbal communication a voice, empowering them to interact more effectively with the world around them.
Proloquo2Go offers a robust library of symbols, natural-sounding text-to-speech voices, and a highly customizable interface to meet a wide range of communication needs. It supports language development and fosters independence by providing students with tools to express themselves, from simple one-word requests to complex sentences. This continuum of communication ensures students can engage with peers, teachers, and caregivers, both in and outside of the classroom.
In addition to Proloquo2Go, the iPads support the Early Literacy Skills Builder (ELSB) curriculum used in many Vista classrooms. This program helps students develop literacy skills through structured steps that introduce vocabulary and comprehension. While the curriculum is traditionally delivered in book form, the incorporation of iPads has heightened student engagement.
For instance, in an elementary classroom, a teacher introduced vocabulary words like “me,” “friend,” and “is” using the ELSB app. After guided exercises, students identified words in sentences, earning enthusiastic praise and high-fives for correct answers. The technology provided a dynamic way to make literacy learning both accessible and motivating.
The use of technology at Vista extends beyond immediate classroom benefits. By building foundational skills in literacy and mathematics, students gain tools that will broaden their access to opportunities across various environments, even after their time at Vista.
The Vista School remains deeply grateful for the PTO’s support, which has made these technological advancements possible, creating meaningful and lasting impacts for its students. Tools like Proloquo2Go exemplify how technology can break barriers, opening new avenues for communication, learning, and independence.
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