Challenge Based Learning Reflection

The Challenge Based Project was a really great introduction to Prezi presentations. It not only gave us the opportunity to research a certain challenge topic but also gave us the opportunity to work with Prezi. The group I was in chose to do our presentation on the dangers of texting and driving. We looked at the statistics associated with texting and driving, the laws surrounding texting and driving, the awareness about the dangers of texting and driving and also a few short videos clips concerning the topic. Using Prezi for our presentation was really nice because you can share the prezi with your groupmates allowing everyone to work on the project. This is especially nice since it is sometimes hard to schedule group meetings. Also Prezi is a new way of displaying information instead of powerpoint. There are no slides just one large formate that allows you to zoom in on different bits of information without ever leaving the full screen mode. Prezi also allows you to set up a path so by using the arrows keys you can move from on piece of information to the next. Prezi was easy to learn how to use and was definitely a breath of fresh air compared to powerpoint. Here is a link to my website where you can view my groups Prezi presentation.

Podcast Reflection #12: Another Autism Podcast

 I decided to do another reflection on one of the autism podcasts that I listened to last week. I found them very interesting and such a great resource for parents who have children with autism. On this podcast the host talked with Megan Drane who is a photographer and owns Firefly Nights Photography. Megan has a son who is diagnosed with Asperger's. Before her son was diagnosed Megan was photographing families, children etc. but soon became interested in photographing children with autism. She knew the struggle that parents faced in capturing important moments and wanted to help. She said that she likes to photograph her own son not only to mark childhood milestones but also certain behaviors that he might be displaying. Some of the challenges that she says she faces when photographing children with autism is engagement. Getting the child to not only look at the camera but capture what she referred to as the "light in their eyes." Also, as with most children, it is difficult sometimes to get them to stay still. However, Megan mentioned that before she goes into a session she meets with the family and gets to know the child before they start snapping photos. She likes to learn if there are any sensory issues such as the click of the camera of bright flashes that might bother the child. Most importantly though she said it is important to find a "bribe" for the child!

Reflection # 11: Autism Podcast

 The podcast I listened to today was one that was recommended to me by one of my teachers who teaches  about special education. The podcast is about Autism and the host, Michael Bole, is a father of a son with Autism. On the podcast I listened to, Michael interviewed a guy by the name of Dan Tedesco who also has a son with Autism. Dan works for a company that produces apps specifically for children with Autism. The app they were discussing today is called Autism Track. This app is basically a journaling tool that allows caregivers to track how their child is doing throughout the day. Its purpose is to track the child's symptoms throughout the day, specific behaviors they are exhibiting, what treatment options they are being given, etc. By tracking this information it provides the parents with a better picture of what interventions and strategies are working for their child and which aren't. Autism Track is a tool that is suppose to help guide parents through the journey of Autism treatment. This app can also look at the types of medical treatments that are being used and how those are affecting certain behaviors and can also rate behaviors and symptoms that are exhibited during the day. Autism Track is network based and requires a server connection. This feature allows multiple caregivers access to the child so that more can be involved in treatment of the child. The data that is collected is reported in a numerical format and shows trend lines that are occurring.