{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,12]],"date-time":"2026-09-12T06:50:07Z","timestamp":1789195807277,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":48,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,24]],"date-time":"2024-06-24T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1719187200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001343","name":"University of Pretoria","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001343","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/100006641","name":"UNICEF","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100006641","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Intl J Lang &amp;amp; Comm Disor"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2024,11]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Background<\/jats:title><jats:p>Over 8 million children with disabilities live in Africa and are candidates for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), yet formal training for team members, such as speech\u2013language therapists and special education teachers, is extremely limited. Only one university on the continent provides postgraduate degrees in AAC, and other institutions provide only short modules at an undergraduate level. The need for an introductory training course on AAC that is accessible by university students continent\u2010wide was identified. An online programme, namely an intelligent tutoring system (ITS), was identified as a possible option to facilitate interactive learning without the need for synchronous teaching. The use of an ITS is shown to be effective in developing knowledge and clinical reasoning in the health and rehabilitation fields. However, it has not yet been applied to student teaching in the field of AAC.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Aim<\/jats:title><jats:p>To determine both the feasibility of an ITS to implement an AAC curriculum for students in four African countries, and the usability and effectiveness of such a system as a mechanism for learning about AAC.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Method &amp; Procedures<\/jats:title><jats:p>The study included two components: the development of a valid AAC curriculum; and using the ITS to test the effectiveness of implementation in a pre\u2010 and post\u2010test design with 98 speech\u2013language therapy and special education students from five universities.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Outcomes &amp; Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>Statistically significant differences were obtained between pre\u2010 and post\u2010test assessments. Students perceived the learning experience as practical, with rich content.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions &amp; Implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>The findings suggest that the ITS\u2010based AAC curriculum was positively perceived by the students and potentially offers an effective means of providing supplementary AAC training to students, although modifications to the system are still required.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>What this paper adds<\/jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>What is already known on the subject<\/jats:title><jats:p><jats:list list-type=\"bullet\">\n<jats:list-item><jats:p>Professionals typically lack formal training in AAC. In Africa, this presents a serious challenge as there are over 8 million children who are candidates for AAC. A need for an introductory training course on AAC, which can be accessed by university students continent\u2010wide, was identified.<\/jats:p><\/jats:list-item><\/jats:list><\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>What this paper adds to existing knowledge<\/jats:title><jats:p>\n<jats:list list-type=\"bullet\">\n<jats:list-item><jats:p>An AAC curriculum was developed and integrated into an ITS, an online programme allowing interactive learning through asynchronous teaching. Students from four African countries completed the AAC ITS curriculum. The curriculum was positively received by the students and statistically significant changes in knowledge were identified.<\/jats:p><\/jats:list-item><\/jats:list><\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>What are the practical and clinical implications of this work?<\/jats:title><jats:p>\n<jats:list list-type=\"bullet\">\n<jats:list-item><jats:p>This feasibility study shows that the use of an ITS is an effective means of providing AAC training to university students in these African countries. The results provide a valuable contribution toward ensuring the equitable distribution of AAC training opportunities in the African context. This will have a significant positive impact on those who are candidates for AAC.<\/jats:p><\/jats:list-item><\/jats:list><\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1111\/1460-6984.13084","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,24]],"date-time":"2024-06-24T07:53:46Z","timestamp":1719215626000},"page":"2279-2293","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":11,"title":["Use of an intelligent tutoring system for a curriculum on augmentative and alternative communication: Feasibility for implementation"],"prefix":"10.1111","volume":"59","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6170-4763","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Shakila","family":"Dada","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Cathy","family":"Flores","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kirsty","family":"Bastable","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1317-0474","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kerstin","family":"T\u00f6nsing","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alecia","family":"Samuels","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sourav","family":"Mukhopadhyay","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Education Foundations University of Botswana  Gaborone Botswana"},{"name":"Nazarbayev University  Astana Kazakhstan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Beatrice","family":"Isanda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Early Childhood and Special Education Needs Kenyatta University  Nairobi Kenya"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Josephine Ohenewa","family":"Bampoe","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences University of Ghana  Accra Ghana"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Unati","family":"Stemela\u2010Zali","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Rehabilitative Sciences University of Fort Hare  East London South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Saira Banu","family":"Karim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Kwa\u2010Zulu Natal  Durban South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Legini","family":"Moodley","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Kwa\u2010Zulu Natal  Durban South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6120-6350","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Adele","family":"May","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Refilwe","family":"Morwane","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Katherine","family":"Smith","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6626-5453","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rahab","family":"Mothapo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mavis","family":"Mohuba","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Maureen","family":"Casey","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zakiyya","family":"Laher","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nothando","family":"Mtungwa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Robyn","family":"Moore","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication University of Pretoria  Pretoria South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_11_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/13603116.2022.2092656"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_3_1","unstructured":"African Connections Project. (2021)Academic institutions in Africa offering speech therapy and audiology training. Available from:https:\/\/www.africa.saslha.co.za\/wp\u2010content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Academic\u2010institutions\u2010in\u2010Africa\u2010offering\u2010Speech\u2010Therapy\u2010and\u2010Audiology\u2010training.pdf"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/10447318.2017.1388099"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_5_1","volume-title":"Augmentative and alternative communication: Supporting children and adults with complex communication needs","author":"Beukelman D.R.","year":"2020"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_6_1","first-page":"189","volume-title":"Usability evaluation in industry","author":"Brooke J.","year":"1996"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ins.2020.08.079"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10639\u2010019\u201010027\u2010z"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1541931215591076"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/10400435.2010.492774"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11482\u2010013\u20109247\u20105"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/07434618.2017.1375979"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/1034912X.2020.1746246"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/17549507.2022.2143566"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/07434618.2014.881916"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0047239520934018"},{"issue":"117","key":"e_1_2_11_17_1","first-page":"260","article-title":"Using the framework method for the analysis of qualitative data in multi\u2010disciplinary health research","volume":"13","author":"Gale N.L.","year":"2013","journal-title":"BMC Medical Research Methodology"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_18_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4103\/0019\u20105049.190619"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.5195\/ijt.2021.6376"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4269\/ajtmh.21\u20100773"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/10447318.2017.1418805"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/07434618.2018.1556732"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1541931215591076"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jneb.2018.10.010"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/a0037123"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1109\/TLT.2011.2"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/03054985.2012.731208"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_28_1","first-page":"1","article-title":"Open and distance learning: benefits and challenges of technology usage for online teaching and learning in Africa","volume":"22","author":"Mathew I.R.","year":"2016","journal-title":"Pan\u2010Commonwealth Forum 8 (PCF8)"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_29_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4137\/jmecd.s20377"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/10349120903306590"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/17549507.2015.1101154"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/07434618.2022.2046854"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_33_1","volume-title":"World report on disability","author":"Officer A.","year":"2011"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_34_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S2214\u2010109X(18)30309\u20107"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_35_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1109\/ACCESS.2020.3021383"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_36_1","unstructured":"Saleh M.(2022)Population of Africa in 2021 by Age Group. Available from:https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/1226211\/population\u2010of\u2010africa\u2010by\u2010age\u2010group\/"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1044\/2020_LSHSS-20-00067"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_38_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/dmcn.14609"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_39_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/vetsci8020013"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_40_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-0-08-044894-7.00247-5"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_41_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/07434618.2010.521894"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_42_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-0-387-73697-6_5"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_43_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Suebnukarn S.&Haddawy P.(2004)A collaborative intelligent tutoring system for medical problem\u2010based learning. In:Proceedings in the 9th International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces.New York Association for Computing Machinery pp.14\u201321.https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/964442.964447","DOI":"10.1145\/964442.964447"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_44_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nedt.2021.105245"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_45_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/0142159X.2012.680939"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_46_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/07434618.2016.1246609"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_47_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/13561820.2020.1860918"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_48_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1044\/ihe13.1.18"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_49_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4102\/AJOD.V7I0.338"}],"container-title":["International Journal of Language &amp; Communication Disorders"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1111\/1460-6984.13084","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,11]],"date-time":"2025-04-11T17:54:23Z","timestamp":1744394063000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/1460-6984.13084"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,24]]},"references-count":48,"journal-issue":{"issue":"6","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2024,11]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1111\/1460-6984.13084"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/1460-6984.13084","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["1368-2822","1460-6984"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1368-2822","type":"print"},{"value":"1460-6984","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,24]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2023-07-22","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2024-06-11","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2024-06-24","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}]}}