Personal Learning Environment
Welcome to the Personal Learning Environment (PLE) and Learning Paths section of the ABA-VR project.
As part of our innovative training approach, we have designed a Personal Learning Environment (PLE) specifically tailored for higher education students and professionals. The goal of this space is to go beyond traditional theoretical content, allowing you to personalize your educational experience and continuously improve your knowledge in a dynamic way.
On this page, we provide a series of practical and interactive resources so you can build your own training experience at your own pace:
- Access to the PLE via Symbaloo: Our platform uses the visual environment of Symbaloo to make it easier to identify the resources that best suit your needs. Through this access, you will find 82 linked digital tools, including communication apps, educational games, scientific publications, blogs, and forums relevant to autism support and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).
- Handbook and Curricula videos: Based on our Handbook and Curricula developed, included into Elearning we have availabe 20 videos (developed for the 7 project official languages (140 videos) that are part or content needed to develop Personal Learning Environment. They were used by our partners to develop PLE:
- Collaborative Expert Board on MIRO: We provide direct access to an interactive board on MIRO (a collaborative whiteboard platform) that documents the actual work of our specialists. On this board, you can explore firsthand how the trainers and international experts of the ABA-VR consortium debated, analyzed, and jointly structured the different teaching pathways during the project’s training sessions.
- Learning Paths: Based on expert discussions, we have generated various dynamic guides tailored to the needs of each learner. These learning paths are designed to seamlessly guide you between the materials of our open course (SPOOC) and the digital tools of the PLE, suggesting the most appropriate resources depending on your prior knowledge or the level of ASD you wish to specialize in.
LEARNING PATHS SAMPLES (From MIRO Collaborative Expert Board)
1. UNDERSTANDING AUTISM IN EUROPE”
To provide effective support, the first step is to understand the reality of individuals on the Autism Spectrum (ASD). It is estimated that more than 7.4 million people in Europe are on the autism spectrum, with prevalence varying across different regions. In this initial learning path, we will explore the fundamental concepts of autism within the European context. Through these resources and videos, you will gain a clear overview of the characteristics of ASD, the importance of awareness, and the vital need for adequately trained personnel to improve the quality of life for these individuals.
TOOLS AND LINKS SELECTED:
- https://youtu.be/Gw0IPZUGR5I
- https://youtu.be/9B-hBXJ7Y1w
- https://youtu.be/4yrGL8ZAn98
- https://www.adinaaba.com/post/autism-in-europe
- https://www.vbmappapp.com/home
2. Autism in Europe presents both challenges and opportunities
Europe’s cultural and political diversity presents significant challenges, but it also offers enormous opportunities for the exchange of expertise and the improvement of autism support. Currently, there is a great disparity in professional training and a widespread use of ‘eclectic’ approaches across Europe rather than evidence-based methods. In this path, we will delve into current challenges, such as the shortage of specialists and the spread of misinformation, while also discovering opportunities for international collaboration to modernise higher education and positively influence future European policies on autism treatment.
TOOLS AND LINKS SELECTED:
- https://youtu.be/9B-hBXJ7Y1w
- https://www.gratefulcareaba.com/blog/autism-in-europe
- https://youtu.be/Gw0IPZUGR5I
- https://abaresources.com/free-downloads/
- https://youtu.be/UvHIj70–5Q
3. Introduction to ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis)
Having analysed the context, it is time to introduce the methodological foundation of our project. Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based intervention widely recognised for its effectiveness in teaching new skills and managing challenging behaviours. This path is designed to dispel myths and combat the misinformation surrounding this scientific discipline in Europe. Through these links, you will discover the basic principles of ABA and access free resources that will help you apply practical strategies in your professional or educational setting.
TOOLS AND LINKS SELECTED
- https://youtu.be/gBuAepxFg8Q
- https://abaresources.com/free-downloads/
- https://eric.ed.gov/
4. VR IN AUTISM
We invite you to explore the technological innovation that gives our project its name: Virtual Reality (VR). Traditional training often lacks interactive settings to practice managing complex behaviours. In this path, you will discover how the use of VR transforms learning by providing a safe, controlled, and immersive virtual environment. Through scientific research and visual resources, you will see how technology enables professionals to practice and build confidence in applying ABA strategies without any risk of harm to themselves or the individuals with autism they support.
TOOLS AND LINKS SELECTED
- https://youtu.be/gDmBFKp5fLI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/s18082486
- https://youtu.be/A-o8GvVOXVE
- https://www.revistaretos.org/index.php/retos/article/view/92078
- https://youtu.be/3RM28af8TgI
4. PILOTING VR IN AUTISM
Welcome to the VR App Installation and Practical Scenarios section of the ABA-VR project.
As one of the key and most innovative results of our project, we have developed a Virtual Reality (VR) application designed to train higher education students and professionals in managing challenging behaviours. This tool will allow you to bridge theory and practice by interacting with realistic simulations in an immersive, safe, and completely controlled virtual environment.
Our application features four interactive scenarios specifically designed to teach you how to identify and manage the four main functions of behaviour:
- Attention
- Escape
- Access to tangible items
- Automatic reinforcement
By interacting with these four scenarios, you will be able to gain direct hands-on experience, identifying the underlying causes of behaviours and applying appropriate strategies based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to manage the challenging behaviour.
To help you start taking advantage of this educational experience, we have made all the technical and practical resources available on this page:
- Download File (APK): The installable file for the ABA-VR application, ready to be downloaded and run on your Virtual Reality headset.
- Installation and User Guide: Detailed step-by-step instructions on how to easily download, transfer, and install the APK file onto your device, as well as guidance on how to intuitively navigate the user-friendly interface and access the four developed scenarios.
We invite you to download our tool, install the APK on your device, and experience the four scenarios firsthand to boost your confidence and professional skills in autism support
We invite you to delve into the MIRO discussion board, explore the centralized environment on Symbaloo, Videos Playlist and start mapping out your own Learning Path to enhance your practical skills and professional development.