Week 10, AT & Module #1

Through the media and famous individuals who cope with disabilities, those with disabilities can have an example of success.  They too can have great success.

The National Federation of the Blind offered many tips for teaching with a visually impaired student.  However I believe the activities are also highly beneficial for students without a visual impairment.  Content is not learned by using a single teaching method.  One must teach content by accommodating those that are kinesthetic, visually, or auditory learners.  Keeping these learning styles in mind, is how I would approach a class with a visually impaired student.  Another key for visually impaired students mentioned by the NFB are braille books with tactile graphics.  One example is a tactilely organized book of the universe including constellations and planets.  These activities and resources can also be a help to other students. 

If I were introducing to students what it is like to be blind, we would tap into their other 4 senses during a sensory activity.  The activity would involve a fun activity followed by an actual lesson so they may grasp the feeling.

The National Center for Learning Disabilities offered so many resources and suggestions for working with LD students.  One particular section stood out.  They suggest a few key points that can easily be overlooked:

• Help them to create and maintain a positive image of themselves
• Maintain high academic standards
• Do not lower academic standards to help their self esteem
• When possible, refer to the student's IEP plan for specific accommodations

Other suggestions included:

• teach explicitly while instructing on the writing process
• provide feedback on the positives and negatives of their writings
• Coordinate for students with disabilities to tutor younger students, with close monitoring
• Peer mediated reading

This website offers wonderful resources for teachers, something I wish I would have known of during my experience in the school system.