1. Changing Practice, Changing Lives Using engaging online instruction to influence physical therapist practice in an assistive technology course Jennifer Blackwood PT, PhD(c), GCS 2013

2. The Course, The Challenge  Online Assistive Technology Course  Adult Learners  Knowles’ Theory of Andragogy  Relevance of assignments  2 challenges: 1. To use experiential learning in an online course 2. To make an assignment relevant to the adult learner

4. The Task  Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) module  No ‘physical’ Assistive Technology to use  So…. Read the book OR Do something else

5. The…Something Else  Free AAC Software  Experiential learning- use the software to communicate  Discussion/Reflection

6. Changing Lives  An Example

7. Changing Practice  Use in clinics without access to this technology  Used to work collaboratively with other health care professionals  Journal clubs  Knowledge translation

8. Final Comments  Consider the learner  Relevance of assignments  Engagement beyond read & discuss