Video magnifiers are an ideal option when a student needs greater magnification and when contrast enhancement will assist the student in reading print. The video magnifier will allow access to regular print materials with the ability to enlarge and write on worksheets. The video magnifier also provides a larger field of view and gives the student a longer working distances when higher degrees of magnification are needed which is very beneficial when reading lengthier passages. This will prepare the student for adult life when most environmental, educational, and leisure reading materials will be available only in regular print.
A video magnifier (formally called a CCTV) provides electronic magnification through the use of a video camera that projects the image of what the camera is focused on, on a screen. Video magnifiers have traditionally been used for near viewing, but many video magnifiers now also have distance viewing capabilities. To make tracking and scanning easier, many video magnifiers come with a table (referred to as an xy table) that is movable in different directions. Some video magnifiers are small, portable and allow the user to carry the magnifier with them to view anything within reach including labels and packages at stores, menus, maps, medicine bottles, etc.
Video Magnifier Instruction
After receiving an assistive technology assessment, it may be determined that the student would benefit from an Electronic or Video Magnifier (sometimes called a CCTV) for near viewing. The student will need to be instructed in how to use the device properly. Even students who have previously learned how to use this device, will need to be instructed in its use if they receive a new one with different features.
Skills the students will need to learn include:
The concept of "in focus" and how to focus the image.
How to change the image size and then focus. Provide the students with materials of various print sizes and practice adjusting the image appropriately.
How to spot or locate an image on the page and then focus.
How to move the tray systematically, tracking left to right and then moving the tray away from oneself to move down the page. Some models do not include a tray and it can be purchased separately. The student may prefer simply moving the material instead of using the tray.
To follow a line of text, and then track down to locate the next line of text.
To use various features of the electronic magnifier and when it is adventitious to use those features.
To become accustomed to writing and drawing while looking at the monitor.
To care for the video magnifier and demonstrate safe use.
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TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC: An Activities Based Curriculum for Teaching Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired
$50.00
Written specifically for fellow itinerant Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI’s), this book consists of over 400 activities and topic areas of discussion for instructing students in the Expanded Core Curriculum. The activities are age-neutral and multi-sensory and therefore can meet the needs of the broad range of students served on an itinerant caseload serving. The activities can be individualized to the students various learning modalities and scaffold in order to challenge students but ensure success. Select those activities that align with the student’s learning objects based on the student’s unique visual needs and academic and developmental level.
The core activities listed in the Activity section can be adapted to each thematic unit. These include:
Object Characteristic Activities
Quantity & Number Concepts
Time Concept Activities
Environment & Job Awareness Activities
Listening Skills Activities
Reading Foundation Activities
Reading Fluency Activities
Braille Basics Activities
Writing Activities
Tactual Efficiency Activities
Developing Skillful Hands Activities
Visual Efficiency Activities
Optical Device Instruction Activities
Recipe Activities
In addition to the core activity areas, each of the 32 Thematic Units incorporates additional unique ECC concepts and skills providing you with a years’ worth of activities. These units are cyclical and can be used repeatedly to help students build on prior knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of concepts. Each unit includes suggestions for activity adaptation associated with the unit. These include lists of objects, possible community based experiences, environmental print, poems, children & young reader books, children's songs, pop culture songs, movies, and websites.
Unique Concepts within the Units include:
Self Advocacy Activities (e.g. advocating for safe classroom, presenting to class on visual impairment, requesting help and more)
Social Skills Activities (e.g. Being bullied or teased, giving and receiving compliments, body language, "I" messages when upset and more)
Recreation & Leisure Activities (e.g. exploring interest areas, getting involved in clubs and sports, playing games, and more)
O&M Support Activities (e.g. Suggestions for community based experiences, dog guide information, locations in the school, bioptics, ride sharing, traffic signs, and more)
Independent Living Skill Activities (e.g. chores, being responsible, using tools, recipe suggestions, hygiene, staying healthy, labeling foods and products, and more)
Sensory Efficiency Activities (e.g. unique sensory experiences related to the unit, unique optical device activities, and more)
Compensatory Activities (e.g. organizing materials, study habits, and many unique concepts related to the unit)
Career & Vocational Activities (e.g. job awareness, completing applications, job task suggestions, and more)
Although the intended audience of this resource is fellow Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, special education teachers may find these activities beneficial to the students in their classrooms as the activities are multisensory and include life skills and concepts needed by all students. This resource, however, is not intended to take the place of a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI). Readers are advised to consult their own TVI’s regarding instruction in the ECC and the unique visual needs of the student’s served in their programs.
Note: This curriculum is a digital pdf download. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page where you will find the download link. This download will also be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number.
Each download is intended for single instructor use per copyright. Thank you for helping me preserve the content and not distributing copies to third parties.
Product details
Digital pdf download: 364 pages (11 pt font)
Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
