Selecting a Topic for Your Dissertation
Tammy Bertel 4/4/2021
I began with three main topics: special education, assistive technology (AT), and access to tools. This brain dump resulted in
seven main themes: Accessibility, AT Basics, Decision Making Tools, Equity or lack thereof for Tool Selection, IDEA Disability
Categories, Tools, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). These themes resulted in three points that might lead toward research
questions. First, connections between training and resources among AT basics including the law and UDL. A focus is on the fidelity of
implementing specific resources; these areas regularly require professional development (PD). PD is often implemented without
follow-up, once and done sessions, or personalized connections to students' abilities in educators' classrooms. Another area
encompassed decision-making tools based on research development. These two sections are connected to Augmentative and
Alternative Communication (AAC) and education tools, focusing on students' technology to support success. One or both areas could
focus on research questions as there are many resources available, but do team members use them and with fidelity? The Institute for
Matching Person & Technology Tool (MPT) is a research-based resource and is not well known in Pennsylvania; this could be a tool
to review from a more profound perspective for team use. And lastly, the tools section and equity. Topics are categorized as nonstandardized tools utilizing personal influences rather than a feature matching system. The inequity of tools suggested and trialed with
students is a common situation. Students are frequently supplied tools based on finances, the comfort of adult use, and technology
integration rather than a student systematic approach using a feature matching process. There are many systematic tools to support
teams to select the proper tools; why are they not used more? This may be an area because research does not show equity has been a
significant focus in recent years. UDL has been a considerable focus connected to generalized tools, but most educators know this as
an overall topic and need additional training and support. When researching, most published articles combining assistive technology
and equity are based on individual experience and suggestions, perceptions, and needs further research-based studies.
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Links are included on the Mind Map
Assistive Technology Dissertations - comprehensive knowledge and cross reference:
Assistive technology for students with disabilities: Resources and challenges encountered by teachers
Elementary Special Educators’ Perceptions Regarding Assistive Technology Usage in the Classroom: A Generic Qualitative Study
Integrating Assistive Technology into the Classroom: A Program for Teacher Professional Development
Preparing Teachers to Provide Struggling Readers with Access to the Content Area Curriculum Using Technology