Faceland for Autistic Students

Posted by LisaHill - 08/07/09 at 12:07 pm

Subject Matter: Learning Emotions and Facial Expressions for Special Education and Autism
Grades: All ages

How Do You Learn to Read Emotions?
Have you ever watched an infant? They are fascinated by faces. Actually, they are learning to read faces, and understand how emotions and behaviors are associated with facial expressions. This is the first step to learning how to socialize and interact with family members and friends, or building relationships.

For children with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, or other development deficiencies, learning how to decipher emotions is not as easy. It’s important to build this skill to function in a social environment.

Let’s Play A Game
Using an Amusement Park theme, the software Faceland offers multiple games to teach six different emotions (surprise, anger, fear, disgust, sadness and happiness). Each emotion is first learned by identifying key facial clues. Various games are then introduced to teaching this emotion from “parts” to “whole” interpretation of that specific emotion.

The gaming graphics were well paced, and colorful. Emotion instruction was incorporated through multiple photos, mirror mimic sessions, and varied interaction. They were fun to play with, and diversified.  Pictures were very clear to define and learn each emotion.

Progress Reports
Teachers and parents can monitor the individual student’s progress with Progress Reports. Other resources include Teaching Tips, Demo Mode and defining the Six Emotions.  Faceland was developed by Dr. Dorothy Strickland (President of www.do2Learn.com), and Donna Stanger (former EdMark CEO).

User Requirements

• Be willing and able to look at faces on a computer screen
• Have basic mouse skills (no click and drag required)
• Have the intellectual ability to play simple games
• Be willing to look at own face in a mirror

System Requirements: Mac OS X 10.3.9; Windows 2000; 512 MB memory; 600 MB Hard drive space; 1024 x 768 pixel screen resolution
Contact: DonJohnston.com
Cost: $179 for 1-4 computers; $125.30 for 5-9 computers; $119.93 for 10-19 computers; $114.56 for 20-49 computers

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 at 12:02 pm and is filed under Fun Stuff, Fun! Games, Homework Help, Media, Special Education, Teacher Programs. The entry is tagged under autism, autistic students, college, DonJohnston.com, elearning, elementary, emotions, Faceland, high, learning, middle, school, Special Education, special needs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.