We're
happy to offer you this web sampling of RJ's soon-to-come DVD Book.
The samples below are only a smattering of the
many
video clips (which might only work in Windows),
useful tips, techniques and options offered by world renowned inventor,
lecturer
and innovator RJ Cooper. RJ has worked with thousands of
people
of all ages and is known for his grasp of technology and his insight
into
the minds of those with special needs.
If you like what you see here, you will
really
benefit by ordering the full book on DVD!
RJ on chair techniques:
If your learner is not in a wheelchair,
and
can sit in a regular chair, use an office type chair with wheels.
Wheelchair
brakes should always be unlocked. What I do, is when the learner
touches
the screen, and makes a choice, I pull their wheelchair back. Without
this
technique, the only other recourse is to say things like, "No, don't
touch. Wait, wait. Let go please." To avoid that hassle, all I do is
quickly separate
the learner from the device, so that there is no chance of things being
pulled,
hit or broken. Then, I can concentrate on properly presenting the
motivator
or reward. Once it's time to select again, move the chair in. Just by
moving
the chair back and forth, learners learn when to touch and when not to
touch
the screen. If you have a monitor on an arm, you can move the monitor
in and
out instead of the chair. If you are using a switch, move it in and out
in
the same fashion. Move these things away so that they are just beyond
the
learner's reach. When it's time to choose, move things back in a few
inches
so that the learner can easily access their device.
Just for fun, RJ's book also offers links to
some favorite video snippets and stories, taped and told by his
colleague Bryan
Koeff.
Bryan tells one of his favorite stories:
RJ once gave his "Computers
are
Difficult" lecture at Kingsway School in New Jersey. Later in the day,
he
was working with a mildly delayed teenager named Maria. Maria was good
natured
and a real joy to work with. Towards the end of the session, RJ asked
Maria
to wait while he talked to the audience. After a couple minutes, RJ
concluded his digression with the comment, "Computers are not easy,
they are..." Without skipping a beat, Maria said, "Difficult!" What a
pleasant surprise. Maria
had really been listening. RJ hugged her, and the audience laughed and
clapped.