Girl With Cerebral Palsy Thrives With Distance Learning Program
By Springs, Fiona; Closing the Gap, Vol. 25, No. 6, pp. 25,29Publication Date: February/March 2007
Article focuses on the use of distance learning software for an 11-year-old girl with cerebral palsy and Asperger’s syndrome. While attending her neighborhood school in Davidson, North Carolina, the student was not successful due to shyness, depression, and constant teasing from the other students. She then enrolled at Laurel Springs School, which is based in Ojai, California and offers online distance education for students with disabilities. The school utilizes web-based curriculum software through Aurora Learning, which is a password-protected online system. The system includes the following capabilities: (1) student-teacher messaging, (2) student progress summaries, (3) immediate access to teacher comments and grading, (4) course record keeping, and (5) technical support. Students can use the system anyplace they have an Internet connection. The system has proved to be a perfect fit for the student, as she has excelled in her new environment through flexible, personalized, one-on-one instruction.
Published by: Closing the Gap, Inc. (Website:http://www.closingthegap.com)
