ThePianoGuys' Uplifting Music Videos: Over the Rainbow; Paradise (Peponi)

This delightful, uplifting music video from ThePianoGuys playing a rendition of Over the Rainbow and Simple Gifts showed up in my FB feed today.   Enjoy.


COMMENT
I use uplifting/calming videos in my work with students with complex special needs, including those with autism.  Although I create some of the multimedia content I use with students, my time for creativity is limited.  I appreciate coming across music videos that deliver much more than I could ever create within the confines of my day-to-day life!

The students I worked with today at Wolfe School really liked the following video, a cover of Coldplay's "Paradise".  The video featured guest artist Alex Boye, The piano and musicians were perched on the top of a 1000 ft cliff.  They also were fascinated with the "making of" video below.







SOMEWHAT RELATED
I wonder if ThePianoGuys could create a music video at the cave setting at this beach in St. Maarten!   (My husband did not want to venture very far from this beautiful refuge during a recent vacation.)

A quick search on YouTube reveals thousands of videos created to uplift/relax the spirit.
If you need to take a few moments to relax - here is a time-lapse video set to calming music, from LoungeV Studio:

AAC Technology at Camp (augmentative and alternative communication) -via Kate Ahern

The following video clip is an awesome example of how AAC technology (augmentative and alternative communication) can be integrated into a range of activities- learning, social, leisure, and creative, when everyone makes an effort to make it work- and not give up.  Thanks to Kate Ahern for sharing this! (Cross-posted on the TechPsych blog.)

The song in the background is "Talk", by Coldplay, a perfect fit for the theme. 

 

"This year's AAC Summer Camp students taught us a lot. This video highlights some important things to think about when it comes to augmentative and alternative communication." -Communicare LLC

RELATED 

Let's Go To AAC Camp! (Includes a list of AAC camps around the U.S.)

Kate Ahern, Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs, 4/25/11 

Communicare: Speech-language pathologist specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Communicare's resource page

Lyrics to Coldplay's "Talk"

COMMENT
Most of the devices highlighted in the video are very expensive and are difficult to integrate seamlessly with other technologies that are emerging in classrooms- and in homes.  I am in the process of writing a post (or two) about this topic. The ultimate goal of AAC technology is to provide people with a means to communicate more seamlessly with people beyond the "sheltered" circle of therapists, special educators, parents and teachers.

Interactive technologists, from a range of disciplines, can help make this happen.