E-Learning: A Tool To Support Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Training

www.elearning.autism.net

Lin Zhang

Valter Vilar

Geneva Centre for Autism

E-Learning: A Tool To Support Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Training


Agenda

BackgroundOnline AssignmentMultimedia Train the TrainersBilingual Sites


Background


Background – About Geneva Centre for Autism

Non-profit organization

An international leader in the development and delivery of clinical intervention services and training.

Founded in 1974. Named for an international conference on autism that had taken place in Switzerland that year.

Offers comprehensive education and training services which enable parents and professionals to become effective interveners and advocates for people with ASD.


Background - Autism

What is Autism? Autism is a life-long developmental disorder that seriously affects the way individuals communicate and interact with those around them. It usually manifests itself during the first three years of life.

Autism is often referred to as a "spectrum disorder," meaning that its symptoms and characteristics can present themselves in a variety of combinations, ranging from mild to quite severe.

The phrase “Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)” refers to a broad definition of autism including the classical form of the disorder as well as Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS), Rett's syndrome, Asperger syndrome, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.

www.autism.net


Background – About Provincial Training Initiatives

Funded by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services

Provincial Teachers’ Assistant Training Initiative

Provincial Child Care Support Program


Background – E-Learning Project

An important component of our Provincial Training Initiatives

Online coursesVideosMaterials that can be

downloaded for use such as visuals and tip sheets


Our Users

Teachers AssistantsResource ConsultantsHome visitorsFamilies


Online Assignment


Facts

7,000+ Teachers Assistant20+ Provincial Autism Resource

Consultants77 School boards across the province200+ Training sessions


The paper way

Consultants provide face to face training TAs write their

assignmentsSubmit to their school board contact person

Forward to the TAs

Blank Assignments

Ass

ignm

ents

Consultants mark the assignment

Admins print out the Certificate

Certificates

Sent back to the school board contact person

Certificates

Consultants provide face to face training

Blank Assignments

Consultants provide face to face training TAs write their

assignmentsTAs write their

assignments

Forward to the TAs


The Paper Way

Time consumingHard to manage and trackDifficult to control deadlineNot Green


The Moodle Way

Consultants mark the assignment online

TAs check the mark online

Consultants provide face to face training

Access code

TAs write their assignments

Submit Online

Admins print out the certificates

Certificates

TAs check the mark online


Benefits

Optimized: submissions, markings, certificate issuing process

Shorter turn around timeDeadline controlGreen


Challenges

Unknown student listMany Consultants and TAs are not

computer savvyShared assignment pool for consultants


Online Assignment Solution

Moodle Roles: New role - Consultants: modified non-editing teacher role

Assign all Consultants as global Consultants role

New role - Admin: modified teacher role to provide support to Teacher’s AssistantsAssign all Admin staff as global Admin role

Scales: Assignment Complete - Certificate of Achievement grantedAssignment Incomplete - Certificate of Participation granted



Closed course with enrolment key Forced separate groupEach training session (group) has

one unique enrolment keyConsultants provide the keys to the

student at the end of the face to face training



Access code 1585deadline: April 1st 2008

Access code 1789deadline: May 1st 2008

Access code 1156deadline: June 1st 2008

TA Course Spring/Summer 2008


Achievements

During Spring/Summer 2008, we’ve had created 179 separate groups and 2000+ assignment submissions.

Shortened certificate issuance period Better deadline control

Thank you, Moodle!


Lessons Learned

Detailed instructions are importantNot everyone is using Microsoft Word.

Provide multiple formats for downloading


Multimedia


Formats

Audio and/or video synchronized presentation

Video demonstrationLive online presentation


Audio synchronized presentation


Sample Video Demonstration


Live Webinar


Tools used

Audio Editing

Video editing

Video converting

Presentations

Audacity

Adobe Connect Pro

Sound Booth

Adobe Connect Pro CaptivateAdobe Connect Pro

Free

SUPER Free

Premiere Pro After Effects Movie Maker (windows)

iMovie(Mac)

Asf Tools Free

HandBrake Free


SUPER


Multimedia rich: advantages

EngagingEasy to follow


Multimedia rich: disadvantages

Not suitable for dial-upsSlow development progress


Train the Trainers


Internal Staff Training Moodle Site

For staff and volunteers in Geneva Centre for Autism

Closed registration


Internal Site Topics

Recorded presentationsOnsite new staff training registrationLive Webinars HR related trainingComputer related tutorials

Adobe CaptivateAdobe Connect Pro


Bilingual Sites


Bilingual Sites and its Administrative Issues

Two Separate Moodle sites for English and French

ReasonsTwo languages required from the ministrySame information in both languagesSeparate users and consultants groupMultimedia rich content hard to switch

languages


Bilingual Advantages

Easy user management Separate course creation processClear user report


Bilingual Disadvantages

Dual login for curious bilingual students


Next Step

Moodle Network


Thank You!

Questions?

E-Learning: A Tool To Support Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Training

Health & Medicine

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