Abstract
Learning GIS Inspires a Special Ed Student to Overcome Obstacles
Track: Teaching with GIS in Schools
Author(s): Sara Masters
In a month-long annual Computing Workshop, an autistic HS student was inspired by GIS to teach others and to pursue GIS studies, which will lead him to more advanced math courses than was previously expected. The first year, he began GIS and quickly understood its spatial dimensions and how it integrates many facts into visual images. As an autistic person, visual imagery is inherently important, sometimes eclipsing verbal communication. That summer and the next, he spent about 4 hours a week for several weeks learning GIS and was inspired to design a PowerPoint that neatly taught another special education student. Besides inspiring socialization and purpose in life, it specifically led him to consider taking an upward path in math, continuing with the second Algebra course in a series instead of dropping into the lowest math-only because he learned it was necessary if he wanted to continue with GIS studies.
Sara Masters
Computing Workshop for Special Ed Students
1558 Hedy Lynn Dr.
N. Huntingdon , PA 15642-1763
US
Phone: 724-864-9221
E-mail: saramasters@juno.com