Making the learning experience a more productive one.

In order to make minds think and to provide better learning and outcome.  The setting needs to be open to access and outcome.  A patron needs to be able to walk in and away with a sense of feeling that their needs are met and furthermore the environment both positive and friendly.  A sense of learning should be a continual learning curb that requires the outlay of necessary infrastructure and proper training.  From visiting and having exposure to many libraries around the world by either accessing their catalogues electronically or visiting them physically, the different layout and settings always stand out.  For instance it is interesting to know what library classification is used whether this be the Library of Congress or the Dewey Decimal System.  Furthermore, how well are staff trained and just how much do they put themselves out and go out of their way to allow for a better means of accessing material, resources and reference information? 


For any person, particularly a student, visiting an academic setting should always create a sense of an environment of learning.  This may include assistance with finding material on shelves, by means of an online catalogue or more importantly a mind which maybe hungry for more knowledge and information.  It can be hard for a library to be the complete depository of every available means of information, but with the right thinking, accessing and furthering of finding information, it can provide a better means of acquisition.   It should be essential that for any library user that where they wish to acquire information meet the standards of their academic institution.  A place of learning provides a positive setting for thinking minds and for such minds to give in return knowledge and information obtained. 




How can a library be made more interactive?

The focus today is on information being more and more accessible online.  This in itself changes the traditional infrastructure of an academic or a traditional library.  Gone are the days when the librarian sitting behind the desk would be ever present.  Now the library has changed with old books making way for online content.  There seems to be a greater means of information but an overwhelming sense that too much information can be difficult for the mind to access and fathom.  Therefore it is necessary to provide a setting where such information can be both stored and channel in a means palatable to the library user or patron.  The question that needs to be raised is how can such needs be catered for in the ever changing setting.  Working in a library is a constant changing experience.  A person needs to be switched on and always on top of changing information and the very demands which may be expected.  The library environment also provides a means of self training and finding ways of communicating information to library users.  Feeling frustrated at not being able to assist users needs to be replaced instead with a means of making a library patron feel valued and their time invested in gathering information, properly actioned and problem solved.  Just because a book may not appear on a shelf doesn't mean that the service stops there but rather what help can be further provided so that the library patron doesn't walk away with a feeling of frustration and a sense of loss.  Online material needs to balance itself with hardcopy information.  Although academic institutions may work overtime to keep up and deliver, it is best that continual feedback and positive energy flows so that accessibility may be possible. As well as a positive setting, experience and self learning can overcome areas where help may not succeed. 


In conclusion, there are many advantages that an academic setting can provide.  Other than being a store house of knowledge, it can further provide a place for persons on the Autism Spectrum to function and express our eccentricity and capabilities.  Within an academic setting, one cannot help but notice the many undiagnosed Aspies that seem ubiquitous.  Perhaps the academic setting may provide the necessary means of putting persons on the Autism Spectrum to good use?  What are you thoughts?


The passing of another Aspie Icon

When I heard about the news that Leonard Nimoy had passed away, better known as Mr Spock I felt as though just like I did when Robin Williams passed away, the same also was to occur with Leonard Nimoy.




Was Mr Spock an Aspie Icon?

I never really watched many episodes of Star Trek but I always remember the persona of Mr Spock.  He was different and he had a geek way about him.  Just like Robin Williams, Leonard Nimoy also left an impression.  I also remember watching the episodes of "In Search Of" when I was a teenager.  In this series, Leonard Nimoy often ventured into the supernatural and the unexplained.  I now wonder to myself if Leonard has been able to receive all the answers to the complex questions he once wanted answers to?


When watching Leonard Nimoy, I often wondered what led him to have an intellectually curious mind?  He seemed to play the Spock character but also invested time and energy into documentaries as in the case of "In Search Of"  I used to think how awesome it would be to have a documentary show like this and travel the world investigating unexplained phenomena.  Leonard even visited Australia to conduct his series on UFO Australia and New Zealand


As I become older myself I often think back to the 1980's to when I see myself as a younger and more different person to the man I am today.  If I was to meet who I was in the 1980's, I would probably be somewhat shocked to know how much I have grown and changed since then.  I certainly was a different person. 


Rest In Peace Mr Spock as I think you gave an Aspie a means of identity and a place in the world.  There will never be anyone else like you.  

Being involved in research and working within an academic setting

I have now enrolled in the MOOC program being offered by Swinburne University.  For more information please visit Autism MOOC at Swinburne University.  The course starts from 2nd April 2015 and I hope to be able to provide input.  I am going to try my best to raise awareness of adult issues. On Wednesday 18th March 2015, I will also be attending a presentation offered by the QBI   It is here that I will be finding out and meeting speakers concerning Autism.  

I am finding that I am handling multi tasking in certain ways and furthermore I am noticing my brain is working a lot harder in processing information.  I also find myself often functioning on an intellectual platform more so than a social one.  This does create a sense of being mentally drained but I just feel that I am alive at least more so than surviving in a vacuum of a lack of intellectual curiosity.  

Are universities places for the eccentric and for the Autistic?

I am starting to make friends now and am meeting some new friends. Some are like me in that they can relate to similar challenges and struggles.  The reality I find is that a tertiary setting is really an Aspie haven.  Both Aspies diagnosed and not diagnosed seem to exist.  Thinking may be similar and their are also pockets of eccentricity that can be found.  The thing I find is that I seem to function better within an academic setting but out of it, my brain tends to struggle more.  I also have made a new friend and like me this friend also can relate to the challenges I go through.  

This blog post will be updated in due course as I am now just starting to get the ball rolling with some new ideas and concepts.