2.4. The Communication Bridge Web application

An important component of the study was the use of the personalized Communication Bridge Web application, developed in collaboration with Northwestern University's Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies (http://cbits.northwestern.edu/). An account was created for each participant so that the content of the Web application could be personalized.

Fig. 1 shows an example homepage and key features. The “To-Do List,” located on the home screen, was updated weekly with SLP-assigned home exercises. The “Watch Page” featured instructional SLT strategy videos to reinforce strategies (e.g., Use of Semantic Circumlocution in Conversation and Practicing Personally Relevant Words), which were assigned on the participant's weekly To-Do List. Participants clicked a link on the “Calendar” or “Connect” pages to start videoconferencing sessions.

An example of the personalized Communication Bridge Web application homepage (top) and its key features (bottom).