Friday

Jason's picture: controling a robotic arm

Jason controls a programmable robotic arm.

Genia's picture: talking with the Professor

Professor Dave Burgstahler discusses accommodations with campers.

today at camp a women named jeni came and showed us some robots and how to program them. also a proffessor came and talked to us about DSS. we got the chance to act like we were in his class and what accomadations we could get.
--Regina

today was a fun time had by all!! Campers learned about robots from Jenni Mundl, a whiz at robotics. Some campers got to try operating and programming robots. Then after lunch, campers watched a short video about the "education triangle" and then the campers got to meet a real college professer and pratice asking for modifications for class. Then we learned about Financial Aid.
--Aaron

The Courage campers are going to get a chance to interact with a professor today. WE have flown in an accounting professor from the University of Washignton in Seattle for this activity. One at a time they will pretend to be in his class, tell him about themselves and how their disabilities might impact their participation in the class, and what accommodations they might need. What advice do you have for them as they interact with their professor?
Sheryl

My suggestion is about starting the conversation. You might want to think about something you are looking forward to in taking a class from this professor. For example, "I am looking forward to your accounting class because I really like working with numbers...." or "I haven't had accounting before, so I am looking forward to this class because it will be a new challenge for me" This can help the professor see you as an enthusiastic or at least positive member of their class. Then you can get into the discussion about accommodations or requests for assistance.

I find that when you can identify something in common people are much more receptive about helping you out. Obviously most professors like the subject they are teaching and feel good when they know a student is also interested or enthusiastic about the topic. (You can imagine that it would not be fun to teach a class and look out a whole class of scowling or snoozing students!) However, be sure to be honest in what you say. So if it is a class you really don't like, you might try to find still find a positive comment about some aspect of the subject -- but don't say something that is not true ;)
Be confident!
--Sara