Melinda L. Richards, Ph.D.

mrichards@mtsu.edu

Russell T. Church, Ph.D.

Speech & Theatre

Master Classroom

BDA 218

N/A

N/A

The Communication Disorders Concentration (CD) prepares students for graduate training in speech-language pathology or audiology. Information technology is an integral part of outstanding educational programs in the health care and education fields. In the 1999 CD self-study, accessibility to a master classroom was the primary academic improvement needed. The external reviewer indicated adequate classroom facilities to be the only standard unmet and recommended access to technology for academic and clinical training. In 2001-06, the Department's single master classroom was accessible for one CD course. In 2006-07, that classroom will be shared by Communication Studies (MWF classes) and CD (TR). This arrangement increases CD usage but limits both disciplines. Access is denied to all CD MWF clinical courses, in which assessment and therapy software should be demonstrated. Converting BDA 218 to a master classroom will allow CD faculty to incorporate informational technology across the curriculum. Students will benefit from exploring and practicing diagnostic and therapy applications, analyzing phonetics, studying anatomical pictures and charts, learning about augmentative communication, and reviewing clinical and professional websites. A survey of the 2001-02 CD course enrollments indicated 225 undergraduate students would have benefited annually. Many CD majors are enrolled in multiple courses but were counted once.