A campus behind Meng Café
Describe your observations on their classes
We observed their paper crafting class, wood crafting class, and a personal therapy class for autism kids. Among them, the wood crafting class leaves the most significant impression for me. According to the introduction of the teacher, the kids in this class have different levels of capability. I notice that some students are very good and familiar at rolling the paper scrip. I tried it as well, it is not an easy task at all. I was amazed by their patience in doing such simple repetitive works for a long time. Besides, we also noticed that some students in the class are very active and outgoing. One boy would drag everyone to take a look and praise his work. Another girl is talented at doing creative work to decorate the patterns of their work. Nearly all of them were very excited to meet new people. I feel their sense of happiness when doing handcraft and communicating and interacting with humans.
For the autism therapy class, the student was also very excited to play with us. During the class, the teacher paid much effort to attract the student’s attention. The student was always intending to running around and do things he wants instead of following the teacher’s instruction. I think this class may fail to meet its designed outcomes but the student had great fun, which I think is more important.
What technologies can improve their learning?
When observing the wood crafting class, I noticed that a student is trying to install the string to the wooden ukulele. He tried many times but failed every time. He then referred to us about the solution to it. However, I did not know the mechanism either. Then only thing I could do at that time is to tell him that “try again and observe how others achieve it” and wait for the teacher’s help. At that moment, I realized that they have the desires and needs of self-learning. I suddenly realized that sometimes it is not they are unable but we are desolation them from getting information. We may not have the chance to achieve and address this issue for this course. But I think it would be helpful to build an online community for students with similar disabilities. Therefore, they can learn from each other reciprocally. They may get the learning resources easier and more accessible.
Overall experience and observation
Again, the direct feeling for this field trip for me is that every individual is different. Everyone has a certain shining point and a special personality. Everyone views the world differently. Although addressing a big social problem for these disables is very significant, however, for every individual, they also have their own colorful lives that need our attention. Next semester, we will also work with individuals to address a small but important issue for a single person. It may have only a small effect on the whole society but it may bring a big impact from the individuals’ perspective.
Meng Café
Describe your interaction with employees
I went to Meng café with Young, Iris, and Kenneth. The cashier is very smart and familiar with all the processes of cashing. At first, I tried to order a Tira Misu cake. However, they are running out of it. She responded to me about this information very clearly and suggest me to change another one. Also, one staff standing beside the door is very extravert that he greets everyone in a passionate loud voice. I think he knows that Young is foreigner so that he also speaks very basic English to us. We also noticed that one female staff is very quiet and seldom speaks even though we are asking her to clean the floor. She did it but she avoided any verbal communication. I also tried to ask for the wifi password even though I see it is written on the wall. They only pointed the password to me. I am not sure whether they can remember the password or not.
Overall experience and observation
During the conversation with the manager of the café, we got to know that every staff in the café has a distinctive personality. They will feel a sense of belonging while working in this café. For them, working and earning money is not the ultimate purpose. Instead, they regard their work as a social place to have a connection with the outside world. The existence of the café supports their dreams. I am happy to hear that the café is now making ends meet. I believe it will be significant if we apply some technology to maximize their ability to fulfill their interests.
