|
Gateway to Language and Learning©
... ease of expression across the age span |
|
The original Gateway to Language and Learning© program presented a novel approach for storing vocabulary on a dynamic display device (Bruno, 1997). Traditionally, dynamic display page sets contained a MAIN page that linked to a set of topic-based pages. These pages contained either (a) preprogrammed sentences, (b) a set of phrases or (c) a restricted single word vocabulary related to the specified topic. The traditional approached limited what users were able to “say”. They could not easily generate novel messages across topics. Message generation typically required navigating deeply within their system. They lacked a generative single-word vocabulary. In 1994, using Speaking Dynamically™ software, Bruno designed a single-word vocabulary page set for two severely apraxic children. This page set contained a core vocabulary on the MAIN page that was arranged in modified Fitzgerald Key Format. It included grammatically based links to less frequently used words as well as a link to a spelling page. This page set enabled these children to communicate effectively in the classroom and within targeted interactive activities.  In 1997, using the advanced features of the DynaVox2 software, the design of the early single word page set was enhanced. A page set was created for a young AAC user that evolved to become the first page set in the Gateway© to Language and Learning© series. This page set contained a core of approximately 800 root words, selected word morphology functions keys, and strategically designed autoclose popups. The MAIN page seamlessly linked to other pages containing words from grammatical categories such as people, verbs, descriptive words, objects and places. It also contained a link to a spelling page with word prediction. The core vocabulary included many words identified as frequently used by young children (Beukleman, Jones & Rowan, 1989; Bruno, 1989; Carlson, 1981; Fried-Oken & Moore, 1992; Raban, 1988). The outcome was a page set that allowed efficient message generation and enabled unrestricted communication. With the original Gateway© page set, a user could create a sentence using an average of 1.3 key selections per word.In 1998, Gateway 54 was created. It contained all of the features of Gateway©, but had 54 buttons on the MAIN page and popups. Gateway 54 was designed to accommodate individuals who could benefit from fewer keys on a page for reasons related to their physical, visual perceptual and/or language needs. Gateway, Jr. was designed in 1999. It contained four separate page sets, all targeting users with limited expressive language performance. Three of the four programs were for young children with language skills ranging from 18 – 48 months. The fourth set targeted adolescents and adults with expressive language delays. While the vocabulary within each of the page sets reflected user needs and abilities, their design mirrored the organization of the other Gateway programs. In 2001, the Gateway© page sets were included as a separate “user” within the 3100 series of DynaVox products. Each page set was now referred to by the number of buttons contained on its MAIN page. Included in this series were Gateway 12, Gateway 20, Gateway 30, Gateway 36, Gateway 40, Gateway 54 and Gateway 75. With the development of the Series 4 DynaVox product line, the Gateway to Language and Learning© page sets were redesigned to include many of the advanced features of these new devices. These revised page sets are referred to as Gateway Series 4, reflecting the name of the product in which they reside. The new DynaSyms were added and the core vocabulary of each page set was enhanced. Gateway Series 4© includes Gateway 12, Gateway 20, Gateway 30, Gateway 40, Gateway 60 and Gateway Pro. Separate scanning versions exist for each of these page sets. The Gateway© to Language and Learning page sets have been translated into German and are available on German speaking DynaVox devices. |
