Going from can't to how

Going from can’t to how

Mindset, technology and support systems are keys to success for CICE students.

Even during the most challenging times, Fanshawe is committed to unlocking the potential of every student.

The Community Integration Through Co-operative Education (CICE) program is a two-year certificate program designed for students with developmental disabilities and other significant learning challenges. CICE students have often had experience practicing resilience—a skill recognized by Fanshawe as one of the Job Skills for the Future—in the challenges they face living with a disability.

The CICE team and students further demonstrated this skill in their successful transition to online learning at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There are three main factors that contribute to the CICE program’s success during the COVID-19 experience,” says Robin Frkovic, coordinator of the CICE program. “Those factors are mindset, technology and support systems.”

The “growth mindset” that embodies the CICE program staff and students has been critical to the innovative use of technology during the pandemic. “We replace the word ‘can’t’ with ‘how’,” says Robin.

The CICE team uses technology as an accessibility tool for students’ unique learning needs, so the program was ahead of the learning curve when the pandemic necessitated the switch to remote learning.

CICE’s dedicated learning facilitators, who support the students in class, can bring a student into a Zoom breakout room and take over their keyboard if they need one-on-one assistance. Students use voice-to-text software and have connected with students in similar programs in other countries through the initiative Zoom Buddies.

“The flexibility and encouragement of coordinators and professors in our students’ programs of interest, and the modification process, are greatly appreciated,” says Robin. “The continued support from the administration who helped make the CICE program a reality at Fanshawe is essential for its ongoing success. There are so many to thank for their contribution to the CICE students’ accomplishments, and please know that we are grateful for all of you.”