Christopher Brown

Motivation is a fun and complex thing. What gets one student interested may not affect another. I used to take students out to perform actual, real-world work when teaching Electrical. All of it was school sanctioned, it was work for Habitat for Humanity so it was all volunteer, and it gave them not only real world experience, but it showed them that they could do it.

I have always used the "There are several options for assignments". I tell the students that if they are passionate about what they are writing about, then it will come across in the paper. As long as it is school appropriate...

I do explain my disability to the class when we start because it can cause some people to feel ignored. I let them know that because of blindness, I am not ignoring them, I just don't see them. We joke about it, make fun of it, it's all to make them comfortable with it and then I let them know to call out when needing to ask a question so that I can acknowledge them.

While it is interesting to hear the legal aspects of the issues, a lot of it is common sense. I have had students of all types in many different programs. Many didn't want the extra assistance because they didn't want to feel pitied. I get that, and I respected it. It made the student feel better for it. Some that needed help, we gave it. It wasn't a blanket issues that applied to everyone and needs to be handled individually.

I got to the part about disabled veterans and indeed I have taught quite a few. Some of them have physical trauma, but most have been mental. It isn't something that can be easily categorized and it takes training to understand how to help them in those shock and awe breakdown moments.

I saw that it mentions the concept of the service animal and the differences between the growing "Emotional Support Animal" and the need for an actual service animal. It's good to have a legal distinction and a clear guideline for which one is allowed and which is not.

Be aware of the resources and advice available to understand and navigate the copyright laws. They aren't too difficult as long as you put the effort forth to understand them.

Digital citizenry is a relatively new concept that still is being developed and understood. Navigation and proper instruction on behavior should be a key focus. 

Legally speaking, understanding fair use and copyright laws can help prevent any unfortunate consequences. I wouldn't want my work taken and used without permission and I wouldn't do that to others. 

A lot of authors/creators will allow the use of copyrighted material if you just ask them. Some, you may have to get the license for or use a substitute. It is also important to understand the concept of Fair Use...