IanJordan2004© Visual ergonomics In the classroom

IanJordan2004© Is the classroom an unpleasant place to be?

IanJordan2004© Everything in a modern classroom can provoke visual and visually evoked sensory integration problems Lighting Lighting Task Task Environment Environment

IanJordan2004© Lighting Colour space Colour space Flicker – frequency and modulation Flicker – frequency and modulation Reflection Reflection Remittance Remittance

IanJordan2004© Task Pattern glare Pattern glare Font – size and type Font – size and type Fine / gross motor control Fine / gross motor control Convergence and tracking Convergence and tracking Attentional field Attentional field Jump convergence Jump convergence Processing speed Processing speed Sensory integration blocks Sensory integration blocks

IanJordan2004© Environment Open plan Open plan Noisy Noisy Visual noise Visual noise Patterns Patterns

IanJordan2004© The effects of poor ergonomics in the classroom

IanJordan2004© Visual effects of inappropriate stimulus Convergence insufficiency Convergence insufficiency Visual field reduction Visual field reduction Attentional field reduction Attentional field reduction Tracking and eye movement problems Tracking and eye movement problems Fusion reduction Fusion reduction Acuity drop Acuity drop Blepharospasm Blepharospasm Reversal and inversions Displacement Field break up Mapping and sequencing problems Fixation difficulties Pattern glare Processing speed

IanJordan2004© Auditory and vestibular effects of inappropriate visual stimulus Balance problems Balance problems Postural changes Postural changes Figure ground Figure ground Hyperacuisis Hyperacuisis Tinnitus? Tinnitus? Processing speed Processing speed Phonic processing Phonic processing Proprioceptive difficulties Proprioceptive difficulties

IanJordan2004© Cortical processes Memory Memory Synesthesia Synesthesia Output control Output control Spatial awareness Spatial awareness Language Language Mathematics Mathematics Pattern and facial recognition Pattern and facial recognition Dystonia and dyskinesia Dystonia and dyskinesia

IanJordan2004© In clinical trials 80% of those with reading problems have visual perceptual problems in school lighting conditions!!!

IanJordan2004© Visual perceptual problems are provokable!

IanJordan2004© The evidence

IanJordan2004© The comprehensive Orthoscopic assessment was used in the Cambridge trials History and symptoms Eye examination Optoprax Read eye balancepsychometricsEEG

IanJordan2004©Assessment

Decision Matrix

IanJordan2004©

Improvement of mid-range dyslexic group – before and after treatment using the Orthoscopic system Individual tests before/after Cumulative distance

IanJordan2004© Correlations with Phonics Phonics Memory Memory Sequencing Sequencing Coding Coding Language Language

IanJordan2004© The Posturography summary sheet

IanJordan2004© Balance Results

IanJordan2004© Control Group: 9-11 Hz Brain Waves

IanJordan2004© Control Group: 9-11 Hz Brain Waves

IanJordan2004© Dyslexic Group Reading: 9-11 Hz Brain Waves

IanJordan2004© Conclusions It is impossible to design a perfect classroom visual environment – but current designs could be improved For about 10% of children underachievement and other problems are a direct result of the classroom environment Those that cannot be helped by initial design modification can be helped using Orthoscopic techniques The costs of not addressing the problem are massive in comparison to taking appropriate action (and may be devastating in the future)

IanJordan2004© Acknowlegements Dr Beverly Steffert Birkbeck College (psychologist / brain behaviour relationships/neurofeedback and EEGs) Dr Beverly Steffert Birkbeck College (psychologist / brain behaviour relationships/neurofeedback and EEGs) Prof Yuri Kropotov Petrov Institute Russian Academy of Science (neurologist) Prof Yuri Kropotov Petrov Institute Russian Academy of Science (neurologist) Prof Koen Raz Jerusalem University (physiologist/motor skills ) Prof Koen Raz Jerusalem University (physiologist/motor skills ) Prof S Evans London University (statistics) Prof S Evans London University (statistics) Dr Tamara Lawenson New York State University / University of Sydney (brain mapping) Dr Tamara Lawenson New York State University / University of Sydney (brain mapping) Dr Graham Street – (medical physics) Dr Graham Street – (medical physics) John Anderson MPhil – (optics and software design) John Anderson MPhil – (optics and software design) Beatrice Jordan BSc MBCO (optometric analysis and pathology) Beatrice Jordan BSc MBCO (optometric analysis and pathology) Julie Brittain BA (Psychometrics) Julie Brittain BA (Psychometrics) Elizabeth Fraser BEd (educational perspectives) Elizabeth Fraser BEd (educational perspectives) A Steffert MA (EEG analysis) A Steffert MA (EEG analysis)

IanJordan2004© Hoya lens UK Norville Ltd Diverse Technologies Ltd CTP COIL Department of Trade and Industry (UK)