InfoComm Shines project seeks to improve acoustics and learning in Walker School classrooms

On February 20th, an undergraduate class from the University of Hartford College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture visited the Walker Needham campus to conduct an acoustical analysis of Walker School classrooms. The visit is part of the InfoComm Shines project, a 2008 initiative to promote the use of technology within Walker special education programs.

Led by Dr. Robert Celmer, professor, and Dr. Michelle Vigeant, assistant professor, from the acoustics program at the University of Hartford’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, the students conducted testing in three of the oldest classrooms at Walker—the school building originally constructed in 1971 has been serially retrofitted to accommodate various needs over the years. Measuring room acoustics and sound quality, the University of Hartford students hope to identify factors that can cause poor sound quality, and their analysis will be used to make recommendations for improving sound in all learning environments at the Walker School.

Among the challenges faced by some students at Walker are disorders that involve auditory integration. It should come as no surprise that students who cannot accurately hear or understand classroom speech often lose interest in classroom participation, fail to pay attention, and struggle to learn. Too often, the effects of these sometimes subtle acoustical problems in classrooms across the country go unrecognized or remain unresolved as they compete with other pressing academic concerns.

Last spring, Walker was selected by InfoComm International, the premier professional organization for audio-visual professionals, as a recipient of the InfoComm Shines award. Working with local partner Communications Design Associates of Canton, Massachusetts, Walker is receiving expert consultation and support along with product donations to improve the use of integrated audio-visual technology within our special education programs.

As we begin to better understand how significant auditory integration challenges can adversely affect children in their classrooms, this systematic assessment of the quality of sound in the older classrooms at Walker is a step toward a better understanding how we can continue to create effective learning environments for all Walker students.

Firstgiving.com allows friends of Walker to use the Web to reach new supporters

Walker has recently joined with Firstgiving to provide friends and supporters the opportunity to raise money to underwrite the Walker programs and services provided to children, adolescents, and their families.

Firstgiving offers anyone the opportunity to create a fundraising webpage and designate a 501(c)(3) charitable organization to receive the proceeds. Firstgiving users can customize their pages with personal stories, testimonials, and photographs, and visiting contributors can leave messages of support to accompany their donations.

In just over a month, eight Walker supporters have raised more than $7,000 online. Much of the momentum has been from “Team Walker” and the Walker supporters who are registered to run in the 2009 Boston Marathon. First-time Boston Marathoner Caitlin Fitzpatrick created her page after she learned about Walker from her sister-in-law Melissa Seely, a Walker clinician. After one month, Caitlin is already two-thirds of the way toward her $3,000 goal with still more than month before the April race.

While Firstgiving pages can be linked with special events like the Boston Marathon or the Walker Lives In Bloom Gala, other pages are requests general operating support, created by staff members, dedicated volunteers, and longtime Walker friends. For personal occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, Firstgiving pages are ideal for directing family and friends to donate to Walker in lieu of gifts. 

Ben Thorndike, president of the board of directors at Walker, created a page that recounts his introduction to Walker more than 20 years ago. It provides a strong personal endorsement and an individualized web address to direct his own friends and colleagues who wish to find out more about Walker and its mission.

In a very difficult economy when many nonprofits are struggling, Firstgiving is providing Walker with a cost-effective way to expand its base of donors and bring in new donations to support the programs and services most central to its core mission.

“This is especially great for our student’s families,” says Susan Ramsey, the Walker parent liaison. “Many families are grateful for Walker’s help and they look for ways to say thank you. Creating a Firstgiving page gives them the chance to share their gratitude with their wider circle of friends and family, and show their appreciation in a new way that provides help to more families just like them.”

“It has been stunning,” says Charlene Pontbriand, Walker director of institutional advancement. “Over the years, friends of Walker have always been generous, but Firstgiving is allowing us to reach friends of friends, and our mission is resonating with many new supporters.”

To support Walker by creating your own personal fundraising page, visit the Walker Firstgiving start page to get started.

Beacon High School receives $4,000 technology grant

As technology has become an increasingly integral part of our school curriculum—particularly at Beacon High School—teachers have looked to technology for new and better ways to engage students and facilitate learning.

Yesterday we learned that Beacon High School is the recipient of a 2009 Best Buy Teach Award in the amount of $4,000. This grant will underwrite the purchase of laptop computers for students to use in the classroom, as well as for special projects such as the design and layout of the yearbook and annual arts and literary magazine. The new laptops will become part of a pool of computers made available for use by all students.

Beacon High School was one of 460 schools nationwide to receive a Best Buy Teach Award, a program developed in 2003 to reward schools that are integrating interactive technology into their curricula and  finding creative ways to engage students though the hands-on use of technology. With the help of community partners like Best Buy, Walker continues to provide students with new tools to better prepare them for a productive future.