DRZ@SJUVM.BITNET (Bob Zenhausern) (01/08/91)
Index Number: 12709 [This is from the BLIND-L mailing list] I am in the process of developing a program similiar to Big Brothers/Sisters based on telecomputing. It represents an extension of this type of program to a long distance version based on the computer networks. It grew out of several projects that I will briefly describe to give an idea of the nature of the project. A blind mentally retarded HS student in rural Virginia (Anne Pemberton, who is frequently on Altlearn@sjuvm.bitnet is the teacher) has been communicating (albeit reluctantly and sporadically at this point) with a blind handicap advocate in NY City (Tzipporah BenAvraham, who is another frequent contributor to Altlearn). I want to expand this so that blind college students can act as a Computer Big Person to visually impaired elementary school children. Similar projects can be developed for the hearing and physically impaired. In terms of educationally disabled I am developing my Direct Access reading program in NY City and one elementary school has a population of learning disabled attendance problem children who are part of a computer after school program. I am setting them up with learning disabled HS students in rural Virginia who will act as their Big Computer Persons. I have already posted some preliminary messages on Bitnet and a professor of education in Buffalo has expressed interest in getting her elementary ed students involved. She especially wants to show them that a computer can be more than a number cruncher. Perhaps her students would be interested in acting as Big Computer Person to both groups. I am not sure of what would happen, but it should be interesting. The project is still in its formative stages and I am looking for those who are interested on any level. Just subscribe to Altlearn@sjuvm.bitnet and say hello. Bob Zenhausern, Ph.D. Compusererve: 72440.32@compuserve.com Professor of Psychology Bitnet: drz@sjuvm St. John's University SB 15 Marillac Jamaica, NY 11439 718-990-6447 A Jack of All Trades Looking for Masters
Ann.Parsons@f207.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Parsons) (01/26/91)
Index Number: 13236 [This is from the Silent Talk Conference] Hi Bob, >"I am a professor of neuropsychology at St. John's University and I >"want to share with you a new project I am developing -- Big >"Computer Person. It is based on the Big Brother/Sister concept >"except that communication is via the computer networks and the >"correspondents share a common disability. I like your idea. I am a member of The Committee for the Disabled of Catholic Family Center here in Rochester. We have such a Big Sister/Brother program. It is not via computer though. We have received a grant to start The Mentoring Project and have already matched a teenage girl with a disability to an adult who has that same disability. I would be very interested in hearing more about this project. If I can help in any way, please let me know. If you have any blind kids who want to correspond, send 'em my way. I am a teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired, so could possiblly help you that way too. Please let me know. Thanks for bringing such a neat idea to my attention. Ann P. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!207!Ann.Parsons Internet: Ann.Parsons@f207.n260.z1.fidonet.org
Oscar.Sosa@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Oscar Sosa) (02/06/91)
Index Number: 13525
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
What you are doing sounds really great. Anything in this respect is a
worthwhile thing to do. I'd love to get involved and contribute what I
can to your project.
Thing that bothers me, though, is that I don't know how much actual
contacts you'll make via bitnet. Fidonet has the potential of getting
more real results, I would think, because many more people have access to
it, which is not the case with bitnet. Are you familiar with something
called k12, which is, if memory serves me correctly, a subset of fidonet
which serves as a net for school students. I heard reference to it
several months ago in a message which was about an educator doing a
program on PBS about school students and their use of the computer as a
communication tool. You might want to do some investigation to see if you
can find out how to access k12 via your BBS.
--
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Internet: Oscar.Sosa@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org