Purpose

As educators, it is our duty to ensure that all students, of all abilities, receive the supports they need to succeed.

Kim Baglot

As an educator, I strongly believe every student deserves equal opportunities to learn and grow, regardless of their disabilities. Creating an inclusive environment where every student feels supported and valued is crucial. That’s why when I learned about the PANDA AAC Camp instructional lead practicum, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to gain training and experience to better support students with complex communication needs in my community. By investing time and effort in programs like this, we can gain the skills, tools, practices, and experience necessary to help all students reach their full potential and achieve their academic and personal goals.

B.C. camp helps non-verbal kids and their families thrive

BC Association for Advancing Communications (BCAAC), in collaboration with UBC’s Edith Lando Virtual Learning Center, organizes the PANDA AAC Camp. The PANDA AAC Camp is designed specifically for children with disabilities whose primary mode of communication is AAC (Augmentative and Alternate Communication). The camp aims to improve AAC education, communication, and literacy.

As the Instructional Lead, my role in this practicum was to review course materials prepared by BCAAC, prepare lesson plans, meet with the Camp Planning Committee, work collaboratively with other Instructional Leads, attend training sessions, and lead small group activities during PANDA AAC Camp 2023 at UBC’s Vancouver Campus from July 24-29, 2023.

Practicum Learning Objectives

  • Engage with theories and practices related to Literacy for Everyone and AAC technology to promote Literacy skills and self-expression in person and through digital mediums.
  • Acquire skills and experiment with the necessary tools for teaching a range of student learners about literacy, including AAC technologies.
  • Apply Literacy for Everyone, AAC technology, EDIDA frameworks & a maker mentality to design literacy-focused learning sessions based on the PANDA AAC Camp theme to enhance and propel learners’ communication experiences.
  • Implement the curriculum designed above during the PANDA AAC Camp’s 2023 session to create a successful in-person summer camp experience focused on literacy learning for learners with complex communication needs.

You can view the complete MET Practicum Project Proposal below:

Baglot_-MET-Practicum-Proposal-Final-2