NatSIP/RNIB online braille literacy coursePilot course November 2014

BackgroundIn 2010 RNIB commissioned a review of the literature into effective practice in the teaching of literacy through braille. The subsequent report (McCall et al 2011) found that levels of support and expertise available to children who use braille in mainstream settings vary greatly and that many mainstream and specialist VI teachers lack confidence in applying their literacy teaching skills to the medium of braille. In 2013 RNIB and NatSIP submitted a successful bid as part of the NatSIP contract to DfE to develop a certificated advanced online training course to support the teaching of braille literacy by QTVIs.

Course overview The course is open to QTVIs or those in training to become QTVIs. Students are expected to be competent in the contracted braille

code before studying the course Students will need regular access to at least one blind child or

young person who is learning or using braille for the duration of the course.

The course involves around 125 hours of study time. Students will study online using the Moodle VLE. Assessment will be undertaken by a mixture of techniques:

o Collaborative discussion activitieso Contextual written taskso Multiple choice tests of factual knowledge

The course will be tutored by specialists in braille literacy It will lead to an RNIB/NatSIP certificate on successful completion.

Pilot course The pilot will be open to a maximum of 24 students.

It will take place over a period of around 16 weeks (including a Christmas break), starting in November 2014 and finishing in February 2015.

Students will be asked to contribute to a detailed evaluation of the course in order to inform its future development.

Cost The subsidised cost of the pilot course is £400 per place or £350 for NatSIP affiliates.

Applying for the pilot courseWe anticipate strong interest in the course and are keen that the students who take part in the pilot represent a wide range of interests and backgrounds. We are therefore inviting expressions of interest from prospective students on the attached form. Please complete and email this to cypf@rnib.org.uk no later than 19 September 2014. We will let you know the outcome before 30 September.

Please see overleaf for details of the course structure.

NatSIP/RNIB online braille literacy course - core units and their constituent modulesStudents will take all the core units and two supplementary units.

1. General overview Common methods/approaches to teaching reading through print

(phonics, whole word, language etc.) Differences between tactile and visual reading Impact of code changes

2. Pre-reading Developing pre reading , emergent literacy for pre-schoolers Working with parents (pre-school) Mechanics of reading for pre-readers

3. Early reading Early formal reading strategies (teaching letter shapes, letter

character recognition etc.) Braille reading schemes for early readers Deciding on contracted and un-contracted braille in the early

stages Mechanics of reading for early readers Working with parents (primary school)

4. Fluent reading Mechanics of reading for fluent readers Strategies for building reading fluency (speed, accuracy,

comprehension) Braille reading schemes for fluent readers/individualised

approaches/adapting sighted schemes

5. Other core material Record keeping/assessment of reading performance Principles of braille writing and spelling

Assistive technology (eg braille notebooks) and sourcing braille equipment /resources

Modifying content for production in braille Developing and defining the role of professionals in supporting

braille users

Supplementary units and their constituent modulesStudents choose two of the following:

A.Specialist braille codes Principles of braille maths (e.g. setting out calculations, laying out

graphs etc.) Introducing specialist codes science, language, music

B.Late beginners Transferring from print to braille

C.Selecting literacy media Selecting appropriate literacy medium (print or braille or both)

D.Learners with additional needs Teaching braille to learners with additional needs

E. ESOL learners Teaching braille to ESOL learners

NatSIP/RNIB online braille literacy course – expression of interest

1. Name and contact details

2. QTVI status (date qualified or in training)

3. The nature and context in which you work (ie age phase, types of setting in which you work, teaching or advisory role)

4. Your previous experience of teaching literacy through braille

5. Particular reasons for wishing to study the pilot course

6. Please confirm that if offered a place you will be able to fund this and commit the necessary time to complete the course

Signed:

Date:

Please email this completed form to cypf@rnib.org.uk no later than 19 September 2014.

You can also download this form from http://www.rnib.org.uk/services-we-offer-advice-professionals-education-professionals/events-training-and-networks