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Online Learning Opportunity
Oregon Health & Science University presents
Tangible Symbol Systems (non-credit)
Developed by Charity Rowland, Ph.D. and Philip Schweigert, M.Ed.
Course Description
Tangible symbols are an alternative means of communicating for individuals who do not speak. Most people communicate through spoken or written languages: these require an understanding of abstract  symbols consisting of arbitrary sounds or characters. Tangible Symbol Systems use concrete, rather than abstract symbols. The symbols may be 3-dimensional or 2-dimensional. Many individuals who are unable to understand abstract symbols are able to use tangible symbols to communicate. Specifically, children and adults with severe and multiple disabilities including severe cognitive limitations, autism and deafblindness may learn to use these systems. This course provides instruction on all aspects of teaching an individual to use tangible symbols and also addresses the theoretical basis and research related to this approach.
Purpose
This course will provide detailed instruction on the use of tangible symbols. The coursework is liberally illustrated with slide shows, photographs and videoclips of children using tangible symbols in daily routines in public school classrooms and homes. It is expected that students will learn how to develop tangible symbol systems; how to assess an individual’s readiness to use tangible symbols; how to implement instructional strategies; and how to monitor student performance and adjust instructional strategies to promote progress.
Course Objectives
This course is designed to provide complete information about the use of tangible symbol systems, including the research that forms the foundation of the instructional approach and the instructional approach itself. Students who complete this course should be able to:
- evaluate whether an individual might benefit from using tangible symbols
- assess what level of representation would be appropriate for the individual to use initially
- design initial instructional programs
- collect data to document performance
- understand the variables that may be altered in an instructional program to accommodate the individual’s successes or difficulties.
This link will take you to the Course Outline / Agenda.
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Required Texts
Tangible Symbol Systems (Rowland & Schweigert, 2000): to be mailed to students, cost included in registration fee)
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Cost
$165.00 (includes cost of course materials and postage)
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System Requirements for Windows®
- 266 MHz or greater Pentium processor or equivalent
- 128 MB RAM
- 16-bit sound card with speakers
- Video card able to display at least 65,000 colors
- Internet connection at 56 kbs or better
- Windows 98, 2000, XP, NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later
- CD-Rom drive
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System Requirements for Macintosh®
- 266 MHz or better)
- 128 MB RAM
- 64 MB virtual memory
- Internet connection at 56 kbs or better
- Mac OS 9.1 or later
- CD-Rom drive
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Internet access
Internet access: minimum bandwidth equal to 56K modem.
Supported Browsers:
Microsoft Internet Explorer® 5.1 or later
Netscape Navigator® 4.77 or later
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Browser Plug-ins
Quicktime®
Adobe Acrobat Reader®
Flash®
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Questions? Please e-mail us at tangible@ohsu.edu or telephone Carolyn Mills at 503-494-2291 or Toll free 1-888-909-4030. You may also fax us (attention Carolyn Mills) at 503-494-2859 or send mail to:
Carolyn Mills
OHSU Design To Learn Projects
707 SW Gaines Road.
Portland, OR 97239
Registration and Payment
You may print and mail or fax a registration form with check or credit card information, OR you may go to our secure online registration for instant credit card payment.
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