TIME MANAGEMENT

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com

All students need to learn to manage their time, but this is an especially important skill for students with visual impairments and particularly for students who are blind. Students will need to have a structured schedule in order to anticipate events and know daytime activities from nighttime activities. 

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In order to manage their time and structure their day, they will need to have a basic understanding of time concepts. Time concept words include: now, later, fast, slow, before, after, during, past, future, next and finished. Understanding time concepts will help students make sense of their world, pace themselves and prepare them for activities.
Encourage the student to

• be prepared for activities when they begin.
• identify time frames for completing learning experiences.
• demonstrate ability to use a watch/clock.
• keep a schedule of activities for the day, week, and month, electronically and/or on paper.
• plan work schedule for studies and class projects.

Keep Track of Assignments
Of course it is important for all students, but particularly students with visual impairments to learn how to keep track of their school assignments. Organizing school materials will assist students in keep track of them. Students can use their iPad or iPod to take pictures of the board where assignments are written. The picture can then be viewed and referred to in order to stay on top of assignments.

Encourage the students to:

• use a homework folder to record homework assignments or take pictures of assignments on the board with their iPad.
• turn in homework assignments on time.
• develop methods needed to complete classroom assignments (e.g., assignment sheets).

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Six-Ring Binder for Braille
This binder, available through APH, is designed to be used with a mini slate and stylus. The student is able to write quick notes using the slate and stylus.

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Special Watches

• Low vision watches have larger faces and bold numbers for easy viewing. They are available from a variety of venders including Maxi Aids, Independent Living Aids and Amazon.
• Talking watches are available that allow the time to be heard at the press of a button. These watches are also available from a variety of vendors.
• Braille watches are available that feature faces that flip open allowing the student to feel the braille numbers and tactual hands.

Time Keeping Apps...

Free Alarmed is Voice Over friendly. It features a notes area with reminders. It also has a multi-feature timer, alarm clock with snooze option and a sleep alarm. It also has a flashlight.  

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$0.99 The Pocket Time app allows the user to know the time without taking their iphone out of their pocket. The app uses motion sensing software to activate the speaking clock. 

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Free. Shake: Time app is a gesture based clock. Once the gestures are learned, the user can fully access the time without touching the screen.

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$0.99 The Talking Clock for iPhone for iPhone is a an app that allows you to hear the time when the screen is touched. It can also be programed to announce the time in intervals.

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