What are the Characteristics of Language in Autism?
People on the spectrum often have trouble processing abstract language. Most students with autism best understand very specific, concrete use of language. For teachers who are used to alluding to general and abstract ideas, shifting to concrete language often takes some practice.
Furthermore, abstractions such as metaphors, similes, emotional expressions, idioms, jokes, slang, and […]
Understanding Tiered Instruction
If, in a classroom, identical instruction are being given for all learners, even if all of them are identified as gifted, there is a solid chance that some of them are bored, and others are overwhelmed.
Tiered instruction is simply the use of various levels of activities which build on prior knowledge and ensure […]
Symptoms of Depression in Adolescence
There is a marked increase in the incidence of depression in the teenage years, with a peak of onset at age 15. In this age group, twice as many girls are affected as boys.
Depression in teens can be masked by outstanding school performance, school leadership, and “ideal behavior”. Depressed adolescents who cannot rely […]
Using Student Assessment Rubrics
When used as an assessment, rubrics are defined as “exemplars.” In educator terms, an exemplar is the acceptable standard for any quiz, activity or project.
While designing lessons, well established goals along with activities and assessments indicate to the student what the end result will look like.
Today’s students rarely read directions. They like things […]
Importance of Networking for Students
What has always been important is not what you know but who you know? The importance of networking has always been noted for professionals. But networking for students is as crucial.
Today, the ability to network is almost completely independent of time and place. Social networking tools, such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, have […]
Teaching in a Multicultural Classroom: Student Participation
People in the U.S. are encouraged from a young age to think for themselves, stand up for themselves, express themselves, and just be themselves. Assertiveness in the United States is valued. Here, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” These attitudes are reflected in U.S. schools.
In contrast, an appropriate saying to describe attitudes in […]
Harnessing Spatial Intelligence in the Classroom
Spartial intelligence is one of eight different modalities or ways to demonstrate intellectual ability and individual style, according to Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences that receives wide acceptance.
Mapping, drawing and doodling
A student with strong spatial intelligence best understands when seeing a picture. This learner perceives the world accurately and tries to recreate […]
Positive Classroom Management Strategy: Scanning
Teachers can maintain a positive classroom environment by constantly monitoring group behavior and intervening at the first sign of trouble. The instructor should scan the classroom frequently for any early signs of potential behavior problems (eg. a student looking out of the window during a lecture; a talkative student who has left his […]
Echolalia in Autism
At the beginning of typical development, babies begin to babble. This babbling is not language, but rather it is a precursor to communications. It prepares the Lower Brain to bring in language to the Upper Brain.
Many people with autism never went through this stage as a baby and sometimes may instead develop echolalia. […]
Tools for Education: MMORPG
According to Wikipedia, MMORPG is the acronym for “Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game.” In an MMORPG, thousands of players exist in the same game world at the same time. Most players begin by playing individually.
The game trains players and builds them up with competencies that are marked with tokens or skill categories – in […]
