Perspectives is the newsletter of the Stanford course,
Perspectives in Assistive Technology.

August Course Update

This issue describes course planning for the next academic year.

August Course Update

Here are my current thoughts on elements of teaching the Perspectives in Assistive Technology course in the coming academic year. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions.

1. Course:

The following course description will be published on Explore Courses on September 1st to help students decide on which courses to enroll.

Online seminar and student project course that explores the personal, medical, social, ethical, and technical challenges surrounding the design, development, and use of technologies that improve the lives of people with disabilities and older adults. Guest lecturers include engineers, clinicians, researchers, and individuals with disabilities. Students from any discipline are welcome to enroll. Two credit units for students who pursue an individual assistive technology project (letter grade or S/NC) with a community partner. One credit unit for seminar attendance only (S/NC). Designated a Cardinal Course by the Haas Center for Public Service.

2. Class sessions:

1. Class sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:50pm starting Tuesday, January 12th.They will be conducted by Zoom and community members will be welcomed to join. Future issues of Perspectives will include the Zoom link and password.
2. I will present Zoom lectures presented covering a variety of topics. The first lecture will describe the course structure and introduce Assistive Technology concepts. These lectures will be recorded for asynchronous viewing.
3. Guest lectures will be offered as either real-time Zoom events or as recorded videos.
4. The last class session will consist of short student project presentations.

3. Projects:

1. Projects will typically be pursued by a single student. Two students will be allowed to work on the same project, with each producing a unique solution.
2. I am soliciting project suggestions from the readership of Perspectives. If you can identify a project challenge experienced by a real individual with a disability or an older adult, please send a brief email describing it.
3. Students will address their project in one of several ways:
   1. fabricating a low-resolution prototype - that may not be fully functional - employing arts & crafts materials
   2. building an appearance prototype
   3. creating a CAD design

4. Students may suggest their own project subject to my review and approval.

   1. writing a report on an assistive technology topic
   2. producing a work of art or video
   3. providing an analysis or evaluation of an assistive technology program, service, or strategy

5. Students will NOT be allowed to perform in-person interviews or test their prototypes with users in their community due to the health risk. Interaction with users must be by phone, email, or Zoom.

6. Project deliverables will include end-of-quarter presentations, reports, and individual reflection.

7. Grading is likely to be pass - fail.

4. Students:

1. Students will either reside on-campus or be remotely located throughout the world.
2. On-campus students will not have access to the campus fabrication shops.
3. Students from any discipline or year will be welcomed to enroll in the course.
4. Students can choose to work on a project or just listen to lectures.

5. Other:

1. An announcement has just been made that undergraduate students will not be allowed on campus for the upcoming Fall Quarter.
2. I have no idea how the progress of the pandemic might affect students being allowed on campus or course enrollment for the course in the Winter Quarter.

6. What community members can do:

1. Identify challenges affecting people with disabilities or older adults that could be addressed by a student project. Email me a brief description of the challenge.
2. Plan to virtually attend class sessions starting Tuesday, January 12th.

Thank you again for your interest.

Dave