The focus this week is on the Expanded Core Curriculum or ECC. This is a collection of content areas that teachers integrate into the core curriculum to give visually impaired learners access to the incidental knowledge that sighted learners gain through observation. We invited guest presenters to discuss areas of the ECC, bringing their specialist knowledge. A Braille specialist discusses what Braille tuition may involve and provides a set of principles to support learners who are being taught Braille. The panel discussion focuses on the ECCs potential to empower visually impaired learners. The assessment is a written exercise where you can practice applying the ECC to a lesson of your choice.

We now consider the needs and importance of differentiating the curriculum for the children with visual impairment. This means modifying and adapting the curriculum according to the different abilities and learning styles of learners within a class. You will also learn about identifying suitable learning and teaching support material, assessment adaptations, and assistive technology devices or programs for each individual child with visual impairment. We conclude with opinions and experiences from our expert panel, additional resources to explore, and a graded quiz.

Welcome to the last week on the course! In this week, you will gain further understanding about the importance of tending to psycho-social issues of visually impaired children by listening to them with respect, patience, and compassion. We will also describe practical things you can do to broaden your networks of support. Then you will hear from an experienced school principal about empowering yourself and your school through collaboration s. As it is the last week, we have invited our panellist to discuss this week’s topics as well as offering a final reflection on creating inclusive classrooms. The end of course assessment is a graded quiz, and we will leave you with a rich set of resources to support your endeavour to becoming an empowered teacher.