Teachers of VI visit Positive Eye (Virtual)
Professional visit from Teachers of VI studying to be Qualified Teachers of VI.
This week I was asked by some teachers of VI if I would meet with them. They are currently studying to be Qualified Teachers of VI and they needed to complete some ‘visits’ to fulfill their course. I was more than happy to help. During this virtual visit which took place this morning I was asked a simple and main question: What and how has the organisation…Positive Eye…. made a difference to the outcomes for children with VI in the UK?
Mmmmm….. I thought to myself….big question to answer……
However over our session this is how I answered:
Providing practical, interactive, easy to follow training and courses that enables the professionals to apply their learning and use with the children immediately
By filling the many gaps that exist with regard to designing and creating a product range of 30+ resources, appropriate guides and programmes to support delivery of pre-braille, skills for tactile graphics, visual skills, social skills
By addressing the primary school National Curriculum and providing suggested alternative ways of adapting each outcome for English, Maths and Science for years 1 – 6 and linking this to the additional curriculum skills that the child needs to develop year by year.
By creating innovative ways to understand how to make access to learning for children with VI no longer an add on.
By sharing a huge array of free creative fun resources with many many professionals to enable them to do their work with children
By giving lots of time over the years to individual teachers of VI who often approach me to ask can they come and visit me to ask me about their role.
My main takeaway for the teachers of VI was……
These are the skills that work across many areas and knowing how to apply practically will really help you and your schools: Visual skills Pre-braille and braille and how to incorporate in the curriculum Skills for tactile graphics – stages of development Literacy access skills (fine motor, tactile discrimination, book and story, concept development, visual skills, etc)
My second takeway was ……
Put the child at the start of the planning process, where you have a structured approach to listening and responding to their voice and the additional access skills are recognised as everybody’s business and are incorporated within the day to day life of the child, Make the child with VI the starting point for planning and not the add on. At their request I sent them a list of many products and resources which will do just this.
Positive Looking – a whole school approach to visual skills
Step-back – a whole school approach to independent learners Positive Outcomes for Children with SEND inclusive of the additional curriculum skills for primary age children
Easy-Easier Learner’s Voice Resource – a powerful approach to listen to the voice of the child.
Social and emotional well being resources
Stories within the everyday life and experience of the children
There are many more https://positiveeye.co.uk/our-products/
It’s about making it simple, doable, easy to follow, possible and to give confidence to everybody. Infected with my enthusiasm and energy and offerings to meet again, to talk again, to support again, we waved goodbye
