What is Active Learning?
As the name implies, Active Learning revolves around the learner being active.
Active Learning (AL) ... for Development, with blindness, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, deafblindness,...
There are many of different kinds of "Active Learning" for typical learners. This kind of "Active Learning" is designed for, and reaches learners with significant disabilities. Originated by Dr. Lilli Nielsen, the Danish expert, AL is suitable for learners who have a developmental age of 4 or under.
http://www.lilliworks.com/AboutActiveLearning.htm
I have been working on my journey towards creating an Active Learning Classroom for almost 4 years. This method works quite well with the children who I teach, children who are deaf-blind, have cerebral palsey, communicate only with sounds, gestures or eye gaze.
When I began my journey, I had a fear of hurting the medically fragile children that I was assigned to teach. As I watched the physical therapist and occupational therapist move the children around, I began to realize that most of the medically fragile children with severe multiple impairments are children first, and belong in environments other than just their wheelchairs. I started to work with the children not only in their wheelchairs and their standers, but also on the floor. I demanded that we put the children on the floor for rest time as well as during some of the work time during the day. I began to work more playfully with them, guided by the Physical Therapist, Speech Therapist, and Occupational Therapist who work with each child.
When I began my journey, I had a fear of hurting the medically fragile children that I was assigned to teach. As I watched the physical therapist and occupational therapist move the children around, I began to realize that most of the medically fragile children with severe multiple impairments are children first, and belong in environments other than just their wheelchairs. I started to work with the children not only in their wheelchairs and their standers, but also on the floor. I demanded that we put the children on the floor for rest time as well as during some of the work time during the day. I began to work more playfully with them, guided by the Physical Therapist, Speech Therapist, and Occupational Therapist who work with each child.
When I discovered the works of Lili Nielsen I read avidly. I found out the uses of the Little Room*. This is the first piece of Lili's equipment that I used. When creating a Little Room environment or mobiles for children who are multiply impaired, it is important that the developmental level and capabalities of the children using them be considered. In typically developing children a 6 month old is not to play with a mobile created for a new born, as this 6 month old can now grasp, tear things apart and put them in their mouths. Using the same idea, if working with a child who is blind, and able to grasp to bring things to his or her mouth, the mobile or Little Room should be set up with the safety of the child in mind using nothing that is toxic, a choking hazard, is too sharp or breakable.
It takes observation to find which things each child responds to. If you do not have the ability to make or purchase more than one Little Room, it is important to have interchangeable items so that
It takes observation to find which things each child responds to. If you do not have the ability to make or purchase more than one Little Room, it is important to have interchangeable items so that
each child is able to have an individual lesson when placed in the Little Room. This environment is easily prepared for individual children when the items are placed nearby the environment.
For "mobiles" which I have discussed earlier, It is easy to purchased second hand baby "gyms" such as those created by Fischer Price or Playmobile and resdesign them for your particular classroom. It takes a lot of experimentation to find which items work for which children. I have used several sets of metal chimes which are universally enjoyed by the children, but a clay set of chimes does not hold anyone's interest.
It is fun and educational to watch children as they respond to an environment that is more free and allows them to explore at their own pace.
For "mobiles" which I have discussed earlier, It is easy to purchased second hand baby "gyms" such as those created by Fischer Price or Playmobile and resdesign them for your particular classroom. It takes a lot of experimentation to find which items work for which children. I have used several sets of metal chimes which are universally enjoyed by the children, but a clay set of chimes does not hold anyone's interest.
It is fun and educational to watch children as they respond to an environment that is more free and allows them to explore at their own pace.
