This website is an introduction to autism and Asperger Syndrome. The website defines autism, describes the characteristics and implications for instruction, outlines suggested strategies for instruction and classroom management, and lists additional resources. A summary of educational strategies for teaching students with Asperger Syndrome is also included. The information is written for educators, but may be of interest to parents and others who live or work with individuals with autism or Asperger Syndrome.
Type of Material:
Lecture/Presentation. Could also be used as reference material.
Technical Requirements:
Web browser, no advanced technical issues.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The primary focus is to provide a definition of autism, to describe the characteristics and implications for instruction, to outline suggested strategies for instruction and classroom management, and to direct you to additional resources. A summary of educational strategies for teaching students with Asperger Syndrome is also provided.
Target Student Population:
The information is written for educators, but may be of interest to parents and others who live or work with individuals with autism or Asperger Syndrome.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Some understanding of exceptionalities and classroom and curricular modifications would be helpful.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The site contains definitions as well as detailed diagnosis and diagnostic criteria, the characteristics associated with autism, methods of educating students with autism and Asperger Syndrome, transition planning, and resources. An extensive reference list is also included. The various sections of the site provide citations from research. Complex concepts are carefully explained and specific examples are provided. The website takes a lot of content and uses bullet points and tables to be more concise and direct with the information. Examples are given to provide further explanation. The website may be of particular interest to special education preservice teachers.
Concerns:
The site does not appear to have been updated since 1998. While basic information may not have changed, other resources and references are available.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Although website is very rich in information, the material is straight forward and easily understood. It is cited on MERLOT as a lecture/presentation, is probably better suited as a reference tool. The teaching strategies table is an excellent source that students could work from and build upon as they learn. Students could develop the same type of table for teaching strategies as they plan for their teaching. Students with an introduction to exceptionalities, classroom management, and teaching methodology will not need the instructor to assist them in understanding the information and classroom modifications presented.
Concerns:
This site is very rich in detail and might be overwhelming for undergraduate students or students with little experience in this area. Faculty need to review the website well themselves and plan out what features students should explore in most depth and perhaps in what order
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The website was very easy to navigate and worked well. Tables are used effectively to present information. Direct links to related topics.
Concerns:
There is a great deal of content on pages that require considerable scrolling. Faculties need to make sure that students actually are aware of the need to scroll to seek information. The direct links to related topics in the website are helpful, but also make it difficult for the user to find his/her way back to the original spot
Creative Commons:
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