Using Multi-Stakeholder Perspectives to Enhance Integration of Mobile Technology for Students with Communication Needs

Authors

Keywords:

mobile apps, children with communication needs, speech language pathologist, teacher, education, assistive technology

Abstract

Digital technology is increasing rapidly in educational environments for students. Teachers, special educators and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are adopting and using mobile applications creating a demand for robust apps that support evidence-based practice, and can be integrated flexibly into a variety of environments with diverse populations and their specific educational goals. SLPs are not only using mobile technology in practice, but contributing to the design of mobile applications (apps) by influencing the design of apps, and by designing apps themselves. This chapter explores how SLPs implement, design and develop effective speech therapy apps using perspectives from multiple stakeholders including teachers, students, clinicians, parents, technologists, and institutions. These insights and processes were gathered using 50 semi-structured interviews with SLPs, SLP app designers, and designers, which were transcribed, coded, and analyzed via template analysis and thematic analysis. From the data, teachers and key stakeholders will be able to generalize and apply the information to their classroom and students.

Author Biographies

Kathryn Lubniewski, Monmouth University

Kathryn Lubniewski, Ed.D., is an Associate Professor in Special Education at Monmouth University. She earned a doctorate from West Virginia University in special education. Her B.S. in multi-disciplinary studies and M.A. in elementary education were also from West Virginia University. She acquired additional certification in multi-categorical special education and early childhood education. Her current scholarship focuses on educational impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the design and implementation of educational apps for students with communication disorders.

Lori Price

Lori Price, MA CCC-SLP is a speech and language pathologist in private practice in Washington State. Her research interests include the use of technology in clinical practice, and the impact of communication disorders on voice-activated customer service tools.

Yao Du, University of Southern California

Yao Du, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. She is a bilingual Mandarin-English speaking speech-language pathologist who has worked with pediatric and geriatric clients in schools, private practices, hospitals (inpatient and outpatient), skilled nursing facilities, and home health. She also provides consulting for digital health startup companies to develop digital diagnostic and assistive technology tools for children and adults with disability. Her research interests include the design and development of educational and mobile health technology for pediatric speech-language therapy, the design and implementation of voice-assisted technology during telepractice, and telepractice assessment for bilingual and neurodiverse children.

Nikita Soni, University of Illinois Chicago

Nikita Soni, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Her research interests include Human-Computer Interaction, Child-Computer Interaction, Education Technology, and Computer-Supported Collaborative Work.

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Published

2023-09-17

How to Cite

Lubniewski, K., Price, L., Du, Y., & Soni, N. (2023). Using Multi-Stakeholder Perspectives to Enhance Integration of Mobile Technology for Students with Communication Needs. ISTES BOOKS, 175–230. Retrieved from https://book.istes2.org/index.php/ib/article/view/13

Issue

Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments in Education

Section

Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments in Education