Autism and Google SketchUp

Larry Welkowitz came across this recently, and reminded us that free visual tools like this can make a world of difference with kids on the autism spectrum:



He writes:

I've written quite a bit about using technology to help young people with ASD's discover career opportunities and Google's Sketch-Up should be added to the list. A few years ago we were lucky when one of our faculty (an architect) discovered that one of our College students (with high functioning Autism) had amazing three dimensional modeling skills. This lead to a series of opportunities and that student is now gainfully employed with a local firm doing Computer Assisted Design.

Does anyone have any other experience with tools that make a difference in these situations? Any stories to share?

Google Apps for Education Event Recap

Fifteen faculty, staff, and students turned out for a CELT sponsored webinar on the use of Google Apps in the classroom on August 5, 2009.

The seminar was purchased through a third party, and in general the reaction of the attendees to the material was good, with most attendees saying they panned to use some piece of Google Apps in their practice. However, most attendees felt the seminar could have been better, and would have liked to see the seminar focus on dealing with classroom specific issues, such as student permissions, innovative pedagogy, and ways Google Apps could be used for student collaboration.

We will be running at least one more seminar on Google Apps this semester, and will try to make sure our next seminar, whether purchased or produced in-house, addresses these issues more fully.

Don't know what Google Apps for Education is? We'd love to show you what is is, and how others on campus are using it change their practice. Stop by CELT in Rhodes hall, or email mcaulfield@keene.edu or jdarrow@keene.edu to set up an appointment to talk about using Web 2.0 tools in the classroom.