Stretching classroom boundaries: Web 2.0, Asperger's, Primary Source

An extraordinary event occured this week in my Abnormal Psychology class at the College.  For several years I have required that my students maintain blogs of weekly reflections on class material and commentaries on assigned readings.  Most recently, my students read "Look me in the Eye" by John Elder Robison, which is about is childhood struggles with Asperger's.  Robison found some of my students blogs and posted comments with his own critiques of their critiques.  My student Jenna discovered that Robison had strong words to say about her synopsis in which she took the author to task for what she felt was unreasonable justification of some of his vengeful acts toward others, including a school teacher.  You can read Jenna's blog and click on the "comments" to read Robison's comments.  You can also read Jenna's response to Robison's comments under that section.  After that I discovered that Robison had commented on several of my students blogs, often with tough (would he prefer "direct") words.

These events were fascinating for several reasons:

1. In little Keene, NH a college student can write about a famous author's book and get a response from that author...not by going to the author, but by having the author go to her!  Imagine how exciting it is for a college student to suddenly be dialoguing about a book with the real life author!

2. Jenna was able to experience directly a central issue in the field of Asperger's.  Robison pushing hard the "respect for neurodiversity" model which is being picked up by many of the major patient advocacy groups (e.g., GRASP, AANE) as a contrast to a more traditional "DSM Psychopathology" model.

But that's not all!  The boundaries of the classroom were further expanded by email responses to Robison's comments by others who had read Robison's book, but were not in my class.  For example, here's an excerpt from a former student who caught wind of the blog posting:

Sean came home from class today and told me that John Robison actually responded to a students critique of his book. I have to say that I really enjoyed his book and I was actually somewhat happy that he managed to teach himself to socialize. However, if he actually got upset about someones opinion on his book, then, in my opinion, he has not come as far as he gives himself credit for.

The former student added:

It is pretty cool that he responded to her blog though

These events have jazzed my Abnormal Psychology class (it's like a famous person has entered the room through their blogs) and makes you think of even more possibilties for education.  For example, instead of bringing in famous authors to give one-shot talks at colleges (for large sums of money where few will attend, let alone talk directly with the speaker), why not invite them in to classrooms "virtually" by commenting on student papers or participating in class discussion boards?  Student papers could be posted on Google Documents so that famous writers (who can stay home and communicate on their laptops) can view those documents and post comments (without slipping and falling on the ice on campus which I did today!).

Comments

[John Elder Robison]

Larry, I wrote some of your students to tell them I am not mad or defensive about my book or their posts. But I am trying to give them real answers and prepare them for the reality that actual high school kids are going to be hard on them.

Your students have not been able to see me at any events, as far as I know. So they can't compare the writing to how I sound, and in person - as I think you know - I am not perceived as combative. I tried to answer them the same way we'd discuss these things in person, but the tone may sound different via blogging.

In the case of your student who took exception to my setting the dummy on fire, I thing her falling back on "it's illegal and wrong" is not a viable solution when dealing with kids and I said so.

I tried to point that out, and I may sound harsh, but I've had the same conversation with teachers in schools where violent events occurred and it's certainly worth considering and discussing.

They are welcome to kick back at me if they feel kicked themselves.

I think you have started something remarkable here. For the first time, we have the possibility of writers actually interacting with teachers and students when their books are used in class. I hope other writers see this dialogue and join in.

The Internet could open up whole new vista in teaching. Keep using my book, and I'll keep commenting as time permits. I'll bet many authors would join in on this. I'm going to do a blog essay on it myself and link to you.

Tell your students that I learn from them, too, as I read their interpretations of my story.

If you have a way to email your class, tell them I'll be doing a q&a after the screening of Billy the Kid this Sunday at 2 at Elms College in Chicopee. Jenna - I think that's her name - could even come argue about my behaviour there!

best wishes
John

[g]

This is so interesting - I am the mom of an aspie young woman (she is a senior in college this year), and I am in grad school myself. I am taking Instructional Systems at FSU. I am an instructional developer for one of the largest employers in MA. At work I have been activly trying to figure out ways to use social media in our instructional system (which is one reason I subscribe to your blog). I am very interested in how we teach adults with disabilities...how do we ensure that we don't lose their special talents because we don't understand their needs.

In my classes, most people's backgrounds are education (not many with my background -technology). It shocks me sometimes how people working in education have a hard time shifting their ideas for how learning may not work in the same way for one person as it does with everyone else. I am able to have many healthy arguments that begin - "that's not how my daughter is!!"

So this exposure early in the undergrad curriculum is fantastic. And the access to someone like John is just fantastic. This is where it will change....if new educators and psychologists understand early about different ways of "being".

Stupid question: why is it called "Abnormal psychology"?

[Ariane]

I think this is a fantastic way to encourage dialogue about Asperger's Syndrome. I found Robison's book fascinating and I particularly liked that he was able to demonstrate that those with AS can channel their special interest areas into sucessful careers.