We probably all have had days, from time to time, when it feels as though the decisions affecting our lives are being made for us; we are greeted with tasks we have been obligated to complete; and, we find ourselves in situations in which our personal preferences may succumb to the wants/needs of other people in our sphere. When our day-to-day life feels as though it is controlled by others, instead of ourselves, our motivation and our ability to learn can be depleted. This can be a significant issue for individuals with learning differences. Learners who require additional support often find themselves in situations where others are making the decisions for them. Every one of us needs at least some ability to affect the environment around us by making choices. Having the agency to make a choice and observing the direct results of those choices is when we learn best.
In Floreo, Learners who are working on the very building blocks of communication and social interaction can choose which animal to activate, simply by looking at it, in lessons such as Watch it Go , Emma Wants to Look Too and Get Emma's Attention. Children who are still learning early play skills can choose an animal to create in Magic Mix: Who’s Next? or can choose a paint color in Painting with Friends. In Painting with Friends, they can choose whether to share or ask their peer to wait for a bit. Coaches can build additional choices into the Floreo lessons using Chit-Chat with Myra, Chit-Chat with Alejandro, and Chit-Chat with Ayanna. In Show ‘em What to Do or Tell ‘em What to Say, Learners initiate the interaction, so they can choose which action/word they want the character to do/say. They can choose who will take the next turn to push the swing in Whose Turn is it to Push the Swing?
Older elementary Learners can choose who they might like to sit next to in Find a Seat in the Classroom and in Find a Welcoming Group in the cafeteria. During Raise Your Hand, the Coach may want the Learner to be in control of whether they choose to raise their hand or not. The Learner can choose a Yoga pose in Focus on Yoga Instructions.
Young teens, transitioning youth and adults can review the map a the beginning of the bus lessons (such as, Find Your Bus: This is Your Bus) and make decisions about whether to go uptown or downtown before starting the lesson. They can choose a section in the grocery store in Orienting to the Grocery Store. Many times, making choices often involves being able to compromise with those in your environment. Teamwork: Collaboration & Compromise is a wonderful lesson that can be used to practice this skill.
Some of the choices that are built into the Floreo lessons directs the Coach to make a choice; however, often, the Coach is able to adjust the lesson and give the Learner that choice so that the Learner feels more agency over the experience. In some cases, the Coach may want to offer the Learner a choice of lessons or the ability to choose the order of the lessons that will be completed on a given day. Even the decision whether to continue with Floreo or take a break until the next time should feel to Learners that they have some agency over their experiences. In addition to providing us with better learning opportunities, feeling a sense of agency in our lives, allows us to analyze the results of our actions and to feel more responsible for ourselves and for those around us.