VIDEO MAGNIFIERSBy: 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 MagnifierThere 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.
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TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC: An Activities Based Curriculum for Teaching Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired The TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC is a digital pdf available for download. It is designed specifically for fellow itinerant Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI’s), and 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. 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. In addition to the book, the following two supplements are included: ·      TVI’s Guide to the ECC Concept Checklist ·      TVI’s Guide to the ECC Activities Checklist For complete product details and additional images, visit the TVI's Guide product page. TVI's Guide to the ECC Product details ·      Digital pdf download: 346 pages (11 pt font) ·      Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments ·      Author: Carmen Willings ·      Language: English Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheets: TVI's Guide to the ECC Grab and Go Supplements The Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheets is a Grab and Go supplement to the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC. 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 companion 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.  For complete product details and additional images, visit the Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Product Page. Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheet Details: ·      Digital pdf download: 210 pages ·      Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments ·      Author: Carmen Willings ·      Language: English Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency and Maintenance Worksheets: A TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC Grab & go Supplement The Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency and Maintenance Grab and Go ECC worksheet packet is a print on demand workbook that contains worksheets in print and simulated braille to use for data collection. Present the student with a hard braille copy and use the worksheets to document accuracy and fluency in reading braille. As a companion to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to the ECC Thematic activities presented in the curriculum guide. These word lists and sentences will help the student refine their keyboarding or braille reading skills while bridging ECC concepts presented in the thematic units. Although the lists and passages can be produced using a manual braillewriter, you may also copy and paste the passages into any braille translation software for quick production on an embosser. They may also be entered into a typing program such as APH’s Talking Typer to build keyboarding fluency. For complete product details and additional images, visit the Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency & Maintenance Product Page Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency Worksheet Details: ·      Digital pdf download: 338-page print and simulated braille worksheets ·      Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments ·      Author: Carmen Willings ·      Language: English Thematic Vocabulary Cards and Checklists: Grab & Go ECC Supplement The Thematic Vocabulary Cards and Checklists Grab and Go ECC supplement is a 446 page pdf downloadable print on demand workbook that includes 2940 vocabulary card on 3 1/2" x 2" templates divided by each of the 32 Thematic Units along with a checklist of each unit words in print and simulated braille. As a companion to the TVI's Guide to the ECC, the vocabulary cards correspond to the ECC Thematic activities presented in the curriculum guide. Additional Use: Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments can have a extremely varied caseloads. It is possible to go several years without having a student on your caseload who requires braille instruction. Like other skills, if you do not practice your braille regularly, it is easy to lose those skills. Use these checklists and cards to maintain your braille skills. Fold the checklist along the line dividing the print from the braille. Choose to either read the print and produce the word in braille using a braillewriter or read the simulated braille and decode it. Finally, these vocabulary cards and checklists may be used with family members or peers who are interested in learning and practicing the braille code. For complete product details and additional images, visit the Thematic Vocabulary Cards & Checklists Product Page Thematic Vocabulary Cards and Checklists Details: ·      Digital pdf download: 446-page print on demand resource ·      Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments ·      Author: Carmen Willings ·      Language: English BONUS! Lotto Cards The LOTTO Cards Grab and Go Supplement includes 37 theme related unit cards along with activity suggestions that support activities within the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC. On My Way File Folder Cards Print and use these cards to represent locations the student may visit that are related to the current thematic unit. Use these with the On My Way File Folder Game outlined in the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC p. 27. NEW! Access to TVI's Guide Bonus Membership Pages Note: All products are digital pdf downloads. 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. If you encounter any difficulty, please let me know and I can assist you. |
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