Wednesday, October 26, 2011

[Replicable Practices] Tablet computers and special applications: Autism

As I was settling into my morning school routine I overheard a couple of special education teachers discussing a story they had seen on the CBS News program 60 Minutes. Their conversation centered upon how autistic students can (through the use of Apps and iPad), communicate their wants or needs to teachers, parents and friends. In other words a possible solution to give students with severe autism the ability to express themselves.

Apple iPad 2

CBC Health News: Autism: Making sense of a confusing world
Last Updated: Friday, September 17, 2010 | 12:25 PM ET

CBS 60 Minutes: Apps for Autism: Communicating on the iPad
(Watch the Segment)
October 23, 2011 7:10 PM

Autism Speaks - It's time to listen: Autism Apps

Sunday, October 9, 2011

[Replicable Practices] Aviva Community Fund - Fostering the Future of Community in Rexdale

Fostering the Future of Community in Rexdale is now moving on to the next round (again).

Thank You Readers!
Please Continue Showing Your Support and Keep Voting!
Round 3

Greetings Dear Readers,

Aviva Community Fund

Taken directly from the Aviva Community Fund website:

In the insurance world Aviva knows how to provide the best protection for your car, home, or business. But, we recognize that you know better than anyone what's needed to improve your community. That's why we created the Aviva Community Fund competition to help make a positive impact in Canadian communities - whether that's through providing new opportunities for at-risk youth, education, helping the environment, or cultural activities - by funding local and national initiatives for change. We care about our communities, and we know you do too.

My friend Mr. Joe Paczuski proposed Fostering the Future of Community in Rexdale. His proposed idea would be to:
...hire additional teaching assistants and modify a number of classrooms with round desks at which a teaching assistant could be able to monitor and instruct five students in a more beneficial ratio of assistants to students while the teacher instructs and monitors the classroom and the need for any extra guidance for a particular student. Rather than hiring teaching assistants from the traditional hiring pool of candidates we would like to reach out to the community of the immigrant parents of our students.
I support his idea and if you also see value in it I kindly ask and encourage you to register and vote. Registration takes a few minutes and you can vote online up to fifteen times up until noon, October 19th.

Sincerely,
Michael