By: Carmen Willings teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Updated October 30, 2017
Video magnifiers (formerly called closed-circuit televisions or CCTVs) use a stand-mounted or handheld video camera to project an image onto a screen (ex. video monitor, television, computer monitor, iPad, etc.). With this device, people with low vision can read books, magazines, newspapers, manage a checkbook, read prescription bottles, or view photos comfortably. Most models allow for the user to adjust the magnification, contrast and illumination to suit the individual student’s needs. Using a video magnifier increases independence in accessing small size print, reduces the need to produce large print, has been shown to improve reading rate and efficiency and encourages writing through visual confirmation.
In black and white models, the student may also change the polarity from black on white to white on black. In color models, the student may adjust polarity as well as choose the color of text and background. With this equipment, the student is able to view print material of all types as well as charts, diagrams, and photographs. Color monitors allow persons with visual impairments to take full advantage of the pictures and color cues used in charts, maps, and other educational materials.
The downside with any electronic equipment is that it needs to be placed near an outlet (unless you are using a portable device that is battery powered). Also, if it is positioned in the front of the classroom, it may obstruct the view for other students and the student's work is visible to others. Another challenge is that materials must be laid flat to avoid glare, improve readability and function properly. An extra-wide binding margin is especially helpful in books and other bound material, because it makes it easier to hold the volume flat. An anti glare, clear, Plexiglas board can be placed over the material to help create a flat surface.
Stand Video Magnifiers
Some students will prefer larger monitors as it will allow them to view more information at a time. A camera projects the image of the material onto a television screen at the student’s eye level. Most models fit onto a small table and are somewhat portable. In some schools, the table is placed on wheels to allow the student to move the device to various locations.
x-y tables Typically, stand video magnifiers come with an x-y table, or it can be purchased separately. The printed material is placed on the x-y table which is a movable table that allows for fluid movements horizontally and vertically. The table can also be adjusted to remain in place.
Video Magnifiers with Distance Capabilities
There are many electronic video magnifiers on the market now that are able to toggle between near and distance which allows the student to view what is presented at a distance without having to hold a monocular or binocular, thus allowing for hands free distance viewing.
Portable Video Magnifiers
Portable models are also available for students who have more movement during the school day. The advantage of portable video magnifiers is that they are lightweight and portable allowing a student can easily take them with them as they transition to different environments. There are a variety of portable electronic magnifiers or hand-held magnifiers. Some have a small camera that is passed over the text, while others use a compact version of the desktop monitor.
Optical Character Recognition
Some video magnifiers feature full page OCR capabilities. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology allows persons who are blind or visually impaired to scan printed text/image and then listen to synthetic speech that reads the text/image or save it to a computer. The three parts of OCR technology including scanning, recognition and reading text. A camera scans the text/image, the OCR software converts the text/image into recognized characters and words and then a synthesizer in the system speaks the text. The information can then be stored in electronic form.
Selecting the Right Video Magnifier
There are increasing improvements and product developments in today's market! Many newer video magnifiers have a smaller footprint, are compact and foldable and lightweight making them an excellent choice for the classroom and for students who move locations throughout the day. Many of the newer models can be used with a laptop or iPad, and can be easily adjusted to view information at near, view self or view information at a distance.
The question is not what you look at, but what you see." -Henry David Thoreau
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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
Visual Efficiency & Magnifier Fluency Grab & Go ECC Supplements
$20.00
This workbook is a pdf download that can be printed on demand for use with students. It contains five different types of worksheets for developing visual motor skills and near magnifier fluency skills particularly with the use of a video magnifier. As a supplement to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to each of the 32 ECC Thematic units. The worksheets, along with a list of environmental print for each thematic unit, are designed to help students refine their visual motor skills while reinforcing ECC concepts presented in the thematic units.
Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheet Details:
Digital pdf download: 210 pages
Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
