A Dedicated Autistic Learning Platform (Mark II)

Post Reply New Topic

Hi

Given there are no replies to my other thread I thought I'd start a new one and delete the last. I really need some feedback on whether this is a workable proposal before I start talking to people about getting it off the ground so please, stick your hand up and be heard. I don't want to spend all my time ploughing through on the promise that one day I may be allowed to study what I wanted to in the first place.

The proposal is an online University for autistic students who can enrol on either Bachelor or Masters degrees on the topic of their choice and studied by e-learning. I will be applying for accreditation on all degrees delivered with their perspective authoritative bodies.

The formats of each qualification will be on the line of a Masters of Philosophy rather than a taught Masters so students can follow their own interests in depth rather than modular learning which starts at an introductory stage each topic. Modular learning doesn't go into the depth we need, typically assessed on non-negotiable exams questions plus people have to get references to get on these courses which is hard for some.

So, say for example, someone was interested in aviation and psychology and wanted to investigate the psychological affects of future volcanic cloud disruption on the aviation industry, they could do this as the basis for their thesis and bring in the areas which are stipulated by the regulatory bodies for accreditation as they proceed through the course.

I'm proposing a fusion of learning and education, a type of "Learnercation" where learning and education are not distinct but the more we learn the more we become educated, as opposed to the more we go through the education system the more we should have learnt approach.

It will be free to diagnosed people given our future job prospects.

Be really grateful for any input on this proposal.

Thank you

If it will be free, how will you pay for it?

It sounds good, but I imagine accreditation would be a very expensive, time consuming process. This is something that is highly needed within the autism community.

Thanks both for your replies.

I agree it is definetly something we need cyber, even if we could just attach it to the current education system. But if people don't say either aye or nay - someone is just going to think "well how can autistic people manage a degree?"

Ive attached the post I've put up elsewhere on the internet, still very interested in people's thoughts. Sorry I can't get my responce any shorter but can't cut the field down till I get more feedback.



"If there are enough potential students interested I will put a call out on my accredited bodie's web page for graduates who are at a loose end asking if they want experience and offer them positions of online voluntary tutors. In return they will pick up relevant job experience and I'd be happy to give them references if all goes to plan.

It is very much in the proposal stage so things will change. I'm really just dipping a toe in the water and seeing what the interest would be to take it further.

Accreditation is important for some, although I would like to see what support these accreditation bodies will give us in return. I am a member of two accreditation bodies and have never been able to get a job in my field although have paid my subscriptions dutifully.

Funding. I'll pay for the website but will need volunteers to design, build and monitor it. Shouldn't be too difficult given how many of us are unemployed and want to do something that is their interest and need the challenge. Also I was thiking it may be an idea to open a job section on their for employment agencies and employers to advertise positions they have. As the website is going to be open to all, people will be able to see what we can do and approach the person - via the website - they are interested in regarding work. The money from this will go towards keeping the site going plus go towards accessing journals and periodicals online instead of having to go into a University all the time for reading materials.

It will be free for unemployed autistics, you can't charge what people haven't got and currently difficult to get. Hopefully if they are successful on the course and get a position, it would be nice if they would put something back in the site to keep it going for future autistics. That would be by donation. For those autistics who are employed in the UK, courses which are necessary for a person's employment are tax deductable so that would also be another income stream to get more facilities available to us.

Also for those who want to continue in academia I would like to introduce that the master's degree will include a research/grant proposal so an application could be made for PhD funding."

Be interested in your thoughts.

This is something that is needed. I'm for it. I currently am a volunteer teacher at the Autism Education Center. I teach USEFUL KNOWLEDGE first then academics. My goal for my students is for them to be job ready when they are finished with my program. This means that they can walk into a business or start a job aand not need yet additional training. I try to teach in a manner that is consistant with autistic learning style.

Make the texts based on wiki and I'm so there!
(I also think that accreditation would still be ridiculously expensive, tough.)

Cyber - your doing a worthy job - kudos to you.

Admiral - You'd have to find out which disipline that would come under to study it.



Post I've posted elsewhere for an update:

"Just received a message from my accreditation board - there is no accreditation fee but, as with all things there is always the possibility later that one may be introduced. Instead there is a application fee which is small enough for me to cover which includes the assessment of the course to ensure it is compliant. Have to say that is a nice result for a Wednesday!


I understand that may not be the case for all subjects though but can't comment as that would be in other areas I'm not familiar with. However, I also note that it is possible to do a conversion course for those degrees which are not accredited. So, you could do a degree which isn't accredited and then apply for a conversion course with a University which has accreditation. You could still then be able to follow a structure which is autistic friendly which would give you a better chance of getting a good class of degree to put on your C.V. The conversion course (in my area for example) just converts your status to acccredited - there is no grade associated with it.


For a masters degree this probably won't be a problem anyway if you wanted to go on to research as it's the subject area that potential supervisors are interested in."

Still very interested in everyone's thoughts so please say something either for or against...

Really sorry for the delay. I'm trying to get something out by 12th July and then have 9 weeks to dedicate to this.

Thanks for your offers of help and if I may come back to this after 12th July, be great to have your input.

Many thanks