The AAC Learning Center Moodle: A free online educational resource on AAC

Abstract

The AAC Learning Center (https://aac-learning-center.org/) is a free online educational resource provided by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on AAC. It is designed to support pre-service instruction in AAC both nationwide and internationally. The AAC Learning Center  is being widely adopted: Use of the moodle activities at the Learning Center has increased from 51  institutions of higher education (IHEs) in 2022 to 141 IHEs in 2026. More than 27,300 learners have earned over 59,000 Certificates of Completion through the instructional modules and webcasts. During the 2025-2026 academic year, more than 4,435 registrants across 141 IHEs in 12 countries earned certificates of completion.

The instructional modules are being integrated into pre-service university coursework to support training in issues of key importance to AAC users and other stakeholders. The resources are particularly valuable for programs with limited AAC coursework because they provide structured, accessible instructional content, quizzes, certificates, readings, and classroom activities that faculty can directly incorporate into existing curricula.

Modules currently in active use (and the total number of Certificates earned as of April 30, 2026) include

•  AAC for Children (9,928);
• Alternative Access (9,344);
• Developing AAC Systems for Children (7,300);
• Family-Centered Services: 5 Key Principles (1,454);
• Family-Center Services: Active Listening (4,519);
• Funding (5,822);
• Literacy and AAC (6,884);
• Literacy and AAC: Letter-Sound Correspondence Skills (5,173);
• Supporting Patient-Provider Communication (2,990); and
• Visual Supports for Participation and Communication (1,580).

There are also 6 Webcasts for which students can earn a Certificate of Completion:

• AAC to maximize language development
• Maximizing literacy skills
• Seating and Positioning
• Employment & AAC
• Communication Supports for Individuals with Minimal Movement, and
• 4 Keys Goals of Adult Life.

User evaluation data demonstrate strong perceived value for these educational materials. Across all modules, more than 95% of users who earned Certificates of Completion reported they would recommend or strongly recommend the modules to others. For the three most recent introduced modules, 94%–98% of users reported that completing the module improved or strongly improved their knowledge of the target skills.

This session will discuss currently available modules, evidence of their instructional impact, and plans for future development.