I met recently with a 16 year old 10th grader with autism. I wanted to know how he thought increased access to a computer might help him be more successful in school. He was quick to mention that he really needs a word processor to do any writing at all. He indicated that he usually gets pretty good grades on the assignments he hands in, but he doesn’t always get enough time on a computer to complete every assignment. This made perfect sense, and it’s not an uncommon situation.

This well-spoken young man went on to say that he was keen to learn computer programming, and also to improve his 3 dimensional modelling skills. He asked if he could show me a program on a school computer that enabled him to create 3D models. With my encouragement, he opened Google Sketchup. While we continued our conversation, he proceeded to design a house and garage. He demonstrated considerable skill, and managed an impressive project in a very short span of time.

Google Sketchup is, without a doubt, an extra special learning resource, and this is the third in my ‘Extra Special Learning Resource‘ series. I first wrote about this program more than 5 years ago. Here’s what I had to say about the free version of  Google Sketchup then.

This is a remarkable program that enables anyone to do 3D modelling. You don’t have to be an artist or an engineer, and you don’t have to learn a complicated CAD program. The drawing tools in SketchUp are intuitive and easy to use. To make it even easier, Google has provided an excellent set of video tutorials. With a little practice, you could use SketchUp to create a 3D model of almost anything–from a skyscraper to a dog house, or from a giant space ship to a digital camera. You can apply a variety of textures and shadows to add a sense of reality.

Although Sketchup has been improved and refined to its current Version 8, what I said back in 2006 remains true. This is a program that offers great potential for all learners, especially those who have difficulty drawing with pencil and paper. It is well documented that many autistic learners find Google Sketchup extremely helpful. This was recently highlighted on the Official Google Sketchup Blog. The video below shares the experience of several autistic learners.

ZAC Browser is a web browser that has been designed specifically for children with autism and autism spectrum disorders, but it is a browser with great potential for other early learners as well.

ZAC Browser is a real browser (you must be online to use it) with a carefully prescribed and limited online environment.  Upon opening the browser, the user is presented with options (represented by visual icons) for movies, games, music, and stories.  Each of these sections contain links to websites with selected  quality video clips and activities.

External links on the linked websites are not active, so the user cannot get out into the wider web. ZAC goes a step further by making it impossible (or very difficult) for the user to switch to other applications on the computer.  The only way of closing ZAC and getting to other programs is by using a keyboard shortcut.

ZAC’s creators have attempted to facilitate interactive freedom within a confined space on the internet.  There has been a deliberate effort to link to activities  “…that cater specifically to kids who display the characteristics of autism spectrum disorders, like impairments in social interaction, impairments in communication, restricted interests and repetitive behavior.”  In my experience there are plenty of children,without a dignosis on the autism spectrum who would benefit greatly from independent access to the same activities.

Check out the video embedded below for a one-minute overview of the ZAC Browser.