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2nd Workshop
on
Training of Teachers of the Visually Impaired in Europe

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Appendix 1
Outline of a course on training of teachers of the visually impaired
by Dr Heather Mason

Within the scope of a Socrates Programme in which representatives from Finland, Sweden and the UK were involved, Heather Mason, together with her colleagues from the School of Education of the University of Birmingham (UK) has developed a model curriculum. It consists of four modules, of which especially the modules 1 and 2 have been worked out in detail.

Module 1: Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5;
Module 2: Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 8, Unit 9, Unit 10;
Module 3;
Module 4.

 

Module 1

 

Unit 1 Introduction

standards

K and U 1, 11, 12

objectives

content

assessment

Writing a report of some of the simulation activities

Interviewing an older person with a VI to examine eg:

Shadow an itinerant teacher or other professional and evaluate experience

resources

Texts

Mason, H. & McCall, S. (1997). Visual Impairment and Blindness. Access to Education for Children and Young People. London: David Fulton Publisher.

Warren, D. H. (1994) Blindness and Children: An Individual Differences Approach. Cambridge University Press.

Websites

Scottish Sensory Centre http://www.ssc.mhie.ac.uk/ [new window]

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) http://www.rnib.org.uk/ [new window]

Lea Hyvarinen's Homepage http://med-aapos.bu.edu/leaweb/

 

Unit 2 Anatomy and physiology of the visual system

standards

K and U 2,3,7,8
S 5

objectives

content

assessment

  1. Multi-choice factual questions
  2. Presentation of a case study to include
  3. Portfolio of information relating to the different categories of visual impairments and their functional and educational implications for non specialist teachers or parents

resources

Texts

Corn A L & Koenig, A. J (1996) Foundations of Low Vision: Clinical and Functional Perspectives. New York: AFB

Jose, R. T. (1983) Understanding Low Vision. New York: AFB.

Mason H L & McCall S (1997) Visual Impairment: Access to Education for Children and Young People. London: David Fulton Publishers

Websites

Scottish Sensory Centre http://www.ssc.mhie.ac.uk/ [new window]

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) http://www.rnib.org.uk/ [new window]

Lea Hyvarinen's Homepage http://med-aapos.bu.edu/leaweb/ [new window]

 

Unit 3 Assessment of the visually impaired

standards

S and U 2,3,4,7,8
K 1,2,3,4,5,

objectives

content

assessment

  1. Carry out an assessment eg distance/near vision, Look and Think, BLAT either individually or with a partner and interpret the results; write a report for teachers based on the information
  2. Critically evaluate one or several assessment packages

resources

Texts

Aitken, S. and Buultjens, M. (1992) Vision for Doing. Assessing Functional Vision of Learners who are Multiply Disabled. Edinburgh: Moray House Publications.

Mason H. L. & McCall S. (1997) Visual Impairment: Access to Education for Children and Young People. London: David Fulton Publishers

Tobin, M. J (1992) Assessing the Visually Handicapped. London: David Fulton Publishers

Assessment Packages

BLAT Blind Learning Aptitude Test)

DAP (Diagnostic Assessment Procedure)

ITVIC (Intelligence Test for the Visually Impaired)

Look and Think

Precision Vision

STIP (Speed of Tactile Information Processing)

Vision for Doing.

Web pages

Scottish Sensory Centre http://www.ssc.mhie.ac.uk/ [new window]

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) http://www.rnib.org.uk/

Lea Hyvarinen's Homepage http://med-aapos.bu.edu/leaweb/ [new window]

 

Unit 4 Residual and functional vision

standards

K and U 1-10 with emphasis on 7, 8 and 9
S 1-5, 7, 10, 11

objectives

content

assessment

Case study for disemmination to a larger group. To include:

Critical evaluation of one or more assessment programs

resources

Texts

Barraga, N. (1964). Increased Visual behaviour in Low vision Children. New York: AFB.

Barraga, N. & Morris, J.E. (1980). Program to Develop Efficiency in Visual Functioning. Louisville, KY: AFB.

Corn, A & Koenig, A.J. (1996). Foundations of Low Vision: Clinical and Functional Perspectives. New York: AFB.

Jose, R. T. (1983) Understanding Low Vision. New York: AFB.

Mason, H. & McCall, S. (1997). Visual Impairment and Blindness. Access to Education for Children and Young People. London: David Fulton Publisher.

Assessment Packages

Look and Think. London: RNIB

DAP New York; AFB

CD-Rom

Video for Visually Impaired Learners Scottish Sensory Centre

Websites

Scottish Sensory Centre http://www.ssc.mhie.ac.uk/ [new window]

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) http://www.rnib.org.uk/ [new window]

Lea Hyvarinen's Homepage http://med-aapos.bu.edu/leaweb/ [new window].

 

Unit 5 Introduction to low vision aids (LVAs)

standards

K and U 2-4, 7-10, 12
S 1-5, 7, 10-12

objectives

assessment

Devise and evaluate a training program for a pupil using an LVA for the first time

Devise and evaluate checklists to be used alongside a training program

Draw up guidelines for a school buying a CCTV for the first time

Devise and evaluate an activities program for parents to encourage the use of LVA with the child

resources

Corn, A & Koenig, A.J. (1996). Foundations of Low Vision: Clinical and Functional Perspectives. New York: AFB.

Jose, R. T. (1983) Understanding Low Vision. New York: AFB.

Mason H. L. (1998) Guidelines for teachers and parents of young people with a visual impairment using low vision aids (LVAs) University of Birmingham

Mason, H. & McCall, S. (1997). Visual Impairment and Blindness. Access to Education for Children and Young People. London: David Fulton Publisher.

Video

Bennett, D. and Mason, H. L. (1995) Low Vision Aids:Effective Management of Children with a Visual Impairment. School of Education, University of Birmingham.

CD-Rom

Video for Visually Impaired Learners

Websites

Scottish Sensory Centre http://www.ssc.mhie.ac.uk/ [new window].

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) http://www.rnib.org.uk/ [new window].

Lea Hyvarinen's Homepage http://med-aapos.bu.edu/leaweb/ [new window].

 

Module 2

 

Unit 6 Management of the Environment

standards

K
S

objectives

content

assessment

Assessment of a sound area whilst under blindfold

Planning an ergonomic working environment for a known student who is blind or has low vision

resources

Texts

Best, A.B. (1992) Teaching Children with Visual Impairments. OUP.

Corn A L & Koenig, A. J (1996) Foundations of Low Vision: Clinical and Functional Perspectives. New York: AFB

Jose, R. T. (1983) Understanding Low Vision. New York: AFB.

Mason H L & McCall S (1997) Visual Impairment: Access to Education for Children and Young People. London: David Fulton Publishers

Sjostedt, S. Sex sm� punkter - v---gen till kunskap. (1995) Editum.

FSSF, NKLl, Bra milj^planering for synskadade

CD-Rom

Video for Visually Impaired Learners

Websites

 

Unit 7 Listening skills

standards

S and U 1-4, 6,7, 10,11,13,14
K 4-6, 9-10;

objectives

content

assessment

Planning a listening skills programme for an individual student.

resources

Texts

Bishop V Teaching the Visually Limited Child

Mason H. L. & McCall S. (1997) Visual Impairment: Access to Education for Children and Young People. London: David Fulton Publishers

Sjostedt, S. Sex sma punkter - v===gen till kunskap. (1995) Editum.

 

Unit 8 Learning through print

standards

Kand U: 3; 4; 7; 8;
S:1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 10; 11

K&U: 4; 6; 12
S: 1; 2;3;4

S: 6

K&U: 8; 10
A: 3; 4; 5; 10; 11

objectives

content

assessment

Individual or in pairs

Field work: Find two cases for observation:

Make a written report:

Describe the interaction between individual and environmental factors, referring to literature and research.

resources

Texts

Essential reading

Barraga, N. (1964). Increased Visual behaviour in Low vision Children. New York: AFB.

Barraga, N. & Morris, J.E. (1980). Program to Develop Efficiency in Visual Functioning. Louisville, KY: AFB.

Corn, A & Koenig, A.J. (1996). Foundations of Low Vision: Clinical and Functional Perspectives. New York: AFB.

Mason, H. & McCall, S. (1997). Visual Impairment and Blindness. Access to Education for Children and Young People. London: David Fulton Publisher.

Further references

Fellenius, K. (1996). Reading skills of Visually Impaired. Experiences from reading training of eight pupils. Stockholm: Stockholm Institute of Education Press.

Koenig, A.J. & M.C. Holbrook (1989). Determining the Reading Medium for Students with Visual Impairments: A Diagnostic teaching Approach. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness. 83: 296-302.

Koenig, A.J. (1992). A framework for Understanding the Literacy of Individuals with Visual Impairment. Journal of Visual Impairments & Blindness, September. 86. 277-284.

Koenig, A.J. & Farrenkopf, C. (1997). Essential Experiences to Undergird the Early development of Literacy. Journal of Visual Impairments & Blindness, January-February.91. 14-24.

Kusajima, T. (1974). Visual reading and Braille reading: An experimental investigation of physiology and psychology of visual and tactual reading. New York: AFB.

Mangold, S. & Mangold, P. (1989) Selecting the Most Appropriate Primary Learning Medium for Students with Functional Vision. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness. June 1989. 294 -296.

 

Unit 9 Learning through touch

standards

K&U: 13

K&U: 4

S: 6

K & U: 5

K&U: 10

S: 1, 2 3, 4

K & U: 10;
S: 6, 15

objectives

content

assessment

Individual or in pairs
Show own braille skill through transferring a fairytale, a novel or other piece of fiction into a tactile form

Make a tactile picture, map etc and evaluate it with your student/s

Make an individual plan for a blind beginner in braille or for a late entrant including:

resources

References

Essential reading

Mason, H. & McCall, S. (1997). Visual Impairment and Blindness. Access to Education for Children and Young People. London: David Fulton Publisher.

Rex, E.J., Koenig, A.J., Wormsley, D.P. & Baker, R.L. (1994). Foundations of Literacy. New York: AFB Press.

Wormsley, D.P. & D'Anrea, F.M. (Eds) (1997). Instructional Strategies for Braille Literacy. New York: AFB Press

Further references

Fellenius, K. (1996). Reading skills of Visually Impaired. Experiemnces from reading training of eight pupils. Stockholm: Stockholm Institute of Education Press.

Foulke, E. (1982). Reading Braille. In W. Schiff & E. Foulke (Eds.), Tactual Perception. A sourcebook. Cambridge University Press.

Millar, S. (1997). Reading by Touch. London and New York: Routledge.

Stratton, J.M. (1996). Emergent literacy: A New perspective. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness. 90, 177-181.

Stratton, J.M. & Wright, S. (1991). On the Way to Literacy: Early Experiences for Young Visually Impaired Children. Re:view, Volumne XXIII, 2, 55-63.

 

Unit 10 Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

standards

K and U 10,
S 10, 11,12, 14,

objectives

content

assessment

Assess the ICT needs of an individual child or young person

Evaluate the usefulness of a piece of soft or hardware for a known child or young person

Devise a teaching program to enable a child or young person to develop proficiency in using a piece of soft or hardware

resources

Texts

Mason H L & McCall S (1997) Visual Impairment: Access to Education for Children and Young People. London: David Fulton Publishers

Aitken, S and McDevitt. A (1994) IT for VI Learners. University of Birmingham

CD-Rom

Video for Visually Impaired Learners Scottish Sensory Centre

Websites

Scottish Sensory Centre http://www.ssc.mhie.ac.uk/ [new window].

Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) http://www.rnib.org.uk/ [new window].

Lea Hyvarinen's Homepage http://med-aapos.bu.edu/leaweb/ [new window].

 

Module 3 Local/national issues

standards

K and U 1, 4,12, 13
S 12, 13,15-17

objectives

 

Module 4 Research

standards

K and U 13
S 18

objectives

content

assessment

The research should be written up as a formal thesis or dissertation. The word length and level of achievement should be relevant to the requirements of each country.

resources

Texts

Bell, J. (1993) Doing Your Research Project (2nd Edition). Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

Cresswell, J.W. (1994) Research Design Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Sage Publications Inc.

Herbert, M. (1990) Planning a Research Project A Guide for Practitioners and Trainees in the Helping Professions. London: Cassell Educational Limited.

McNiff, J. (1988) Action Research : Principles and Practice. London: Routledge

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