Free ZAC Browser: A Safe Place for Autistic Children Online

I loaded up a desktop computer yesterday that had been in an elementary special education classroom for use with an autistic child this spring. We had been experimenting with Intellitools Classroom Suite and with a program the speech pathologist had put on.

As I entered the room and saw the student curled up on a bean bag asleep for nap time, I remembered seeing this girl a month and a half ago, watching her clicking anything on the screen and making poor choices on what to do with the computer. I modeled for the assistant how to work with her at the computer and showed some of the activities I had selected for use that would support learning goals. I found a new resource that I wish I would have had this spring that might support this girl and students or children you have that are autistic.

Kate Ahern of Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs Blog, had a post on the ZAC (Zone for Autistic Children) web browser. I was very excited to find it and after looking through the ZAC Browser website and watching the video I thought it would be a good tool to pass on. The browser filters out unsafe sites and content, has a unique icon set of buttons to open bookmarked content under videos, games, music and other activities and sites.

I would love to hear what you have to say about it if you download the free beta application and see how it works. I am going to refer this on to our autism department and spend some time with it. I will let you know more as we explore and use it.

Upcoming Events:

Byron Wilkes of Learning Magic will be my guest on No Limits to Learning Live this morning at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time. You can listen live and call in with comments or questions or listen to the archive on the player on my sidebar afterwards. Learning Magic is the sponsor of our blog contest/drawing.

Submit your blog for our random drawing - Deadline June 15th. Drawing is on the 16th.

If you would like a chance to win a free title of your choice from Learning Magic's catalog, then send me your blog link and your email information to be entered in the random drawing at lon.thornburg@nolimits2learning.com Details are on the sidebar.

All the best to you!

Lon