Tracey Magrann-Reyes

Now I will think more about how to adjust an autistic student's assignment. I will be on the lookout for those who look uncomfortable about doing verbal presentations or working with groups.

It was interesting to learn that the divorce rate for parents is not higher than average. I would think the stress would impact the marriage. Hopefully, there are many support groups available, because it takes a village to raise a child!

I see students sometimes seeming anxious about where they should sit. Now I will take this as a clue that they might have autism. I can keep an eye on them to help provide a comfortable environment for them. I have one student who cannot stand any noise from classmates chatting while people work in groups to get their lab manual done. I spoke with her privately and told her she can go to the student lounge area to do her work, and she greatly appreciated it.

I had no idea that autistic people were more prone to having other genetic issues, GI problems, and seizure disorders. It is enlightening to read more about this subject. I have several students who need to wear noise-cancelling headphones. I assume they are autistic.

We have to be aware that not all students want to interact with people. They should be given choices for projects and activities, so they can decide if they want to work alone or in a group.

One thing I do to engage students is to give them an Escape Room activity, which they can do in groups if they want. They have to answer 4 Multiple choice questions, solve a puzzle to change the answer letters into numbers, enter the number online, and if correct, they escape the room. There are 5 rooms. There is at least one real test question in there somewhere, so they are motivated to do the activity.

It's important to have my own web cam on, as well as the students, so we can connect better. Students who block their camera are often away from the computer doing their own things.

In fully online classes, we also have to make sure the students we are seeing are the ones that are enrolled. We should have them submit a photo ID at the begining of the course. We should also take a screen shot of them while taking their tests.

Different delivery methods will be interesting to me, too! It would be good to find a blog or something that lists ideas for how to deliver anatomy lectures in a variety of different ways.

I usually take pictures of students, 5 at a time (with their permission), in alphabetical order as per the roster. Each day, I try to learn the names of at least 5 students. But now I have 50-75 students in a class, and a lot of material to cover each day, so I am not sure what to do to learn that many names! Any ideas anyone?