Educators

Teach with the Noun Project

The collaboration between designers and educators can be profound. Historically, the two professions worked closely together to create symbols that synthesized complex information and educated the public. Their work helped people with learning disabilities and broke down language barriers in the classroom. Today, symbols don’t just help us navigate the campus - they help us live and grow in it. They help us learn.

“We all need to learn to say what we mean in plain, everyday language or we run the risk of alienating those who most need to understand us. That is why I am so excited about this project. If we had universally known, free and downloadable icons for many of our school based programs, activities, and spaces, imagine the impact. Imagine the ways in which your work can contribute to a person’s ability to be more independent and confident.”

"The Noun Project provides an excellent resource for formulating and recording ideas that transcend the complexities of language. TNP has the potential to provide the framework of a new, simple, and powerful global language. In American education, English Language Learners are one of the fastest growing populations and TNP can provide services that would help bridge the gap between languages. Special Education is also a population where innovation and alternative teaching strategies are constantly being looked at. TNP can provide a very valuable resource for students with learning disabilities and allow them to simple convey their thoughts in a visual and hands on manner.

It can also help an entire school convey simple and explicit messages that provide directional and identifying symbols that do not rely on a particular language or reading ability. There is a true beauty in the simplicity and global understanding of The Noun Project's symbols."

"I am a special education teacher in the Autism program at Ottawa Technical Secondary School. This year I started using "The Noun Project" to create schedules for my graduating students.

There are several software programs for individuals with communication difficulties but they often come at a high price and are difficult to use. The Noun Project has allowed me to share and create schedules with the families of my students which is invaluable. The ability to support and develop communication skills outside of the school gives our population the chance to grow, communicate and become apart of the community.

The symbols are clear and easy to understand for individuals with autism. The more these symbols are used around the world by not only the people in the field of special education but by everyone the easier it will be for our people with communication difficulties everywhere to transition to different stages of their lives.

I will share "The Noun Project" with the school board and the Autism community. I truly hope others will join me in using this incredibly inspiring project."

Do you have an idea for education and symbols? Let us know at educators@thenounproject.com