1. Multi-Sensory Science Teaching Methods for Students with Visual Impairments Cary Supalo Illinois State University Illinois AER Annual Conference February 13 & 14, 2014 Schaumburg, IL

2. What is Multi-Sensory Science Learning?
This refers to multi-modal presentation of science concepts
This can be visual with audio
Audio with video
Tactile with visual
Audio/visual/tactile, etc.

3. Who Are Students With Print Disabilities?
Students who have difficulties identifying, interpreting, and conceptualizing information from printed words.
Students with blindness or low vision.
Students with learning disabilities.
Students with documented reading disabilities.

4. Why is it Important for the print disabled to be involved in Science?
Persons with disabilities have been problem solving to overcome physical limitations.
Why not apply this lifelong skill set of problem solving to scientific questions?
Through good organization skills and planning, the print disabled can be fully integrated into the science laboratory classroom.
(Supalo, 2010; Woods, 1996)

5. What is the Director Assistant Approach for Students with Blindness or Low Vision?
Sighted counterpart, usually not a student in the science class.
Can be volunteer or paid position.
Familiar with all laboratory safety procedures.
Only performs instructions given by blind student as to what tasks to carry out.
Blind student must ask for observational feedback
The assistant only intervenes when a safety protocol is compromised.
Limitations of this approach is that it expects the blind student to be an expert and to have the knowledge-base needed to oversee a subordinate, which is not always the case.
(Miner, 2001)

6. Limitations of this Technique
Because of its inherent limitations, the director assisted approach can be misused by blind students.
And the instructor doesn’t always catch this misuse.
The instructor sees that the lab work is getting done, without noticing how it was completed.
Simply being in the lab does not ensure learning has occurred.
(Supalo, 2013)

7. SAVI/SELPH - Science Activities for the Visually Impaired/Science Enrichment for Learners with Physical Handicaps
The SAVI/SELPH program was developed for students with disabilities in grades 3-8.
Applicable in secondary education classrooms.
The program was developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley, California
Remains an interdisciplinary, multisensory science enrichment program that has been used effectively for students with disabilities.
(DeLucchi & Malone, 1982;

8. SAVI/SELPH Measurement Tools & Equipment
Syringe, 50 mL
With stop
Tactile
Thermometer
Volume
Tube
Sorting Tray
(DeLucchi & Malone, 1982;

9. SAVI/SELPH Measurement Tools & Equipment (continued)
50 mL Graduated
Cylinder
Balance
Funnel Stand
100 mL Beaker
(DeLucchi & Malone, 1982;

10. Notched Syringe Commonly Used in High School Laboratory Classes

11. Commercially Available Tactile Models
Plant Cell
Flower

12. Vernier Software & Technology
Vernier is committed to the preparation of the next generation of scientists & engineers by providing:
Sensors
Data Loggers
Experiments
Graphing/Analysis Software (

13. Vernier Probes Heart Rate Monitor Accelerometer Motion Detector
EKG Sensor
Conductivity Probe
Heart Rate Monitor
Accelerometer
Motion Detector
Colorimeter

14. G.W. Micro’s Window Eyes Text to Speech Screen Reader
Converts written text to speech via computer
Navigates data tables
Starts and stops experiments
Reads labels of Cartesian graphs
Accesses statistical info
Customizable using special Window Eyes Ap files
Window Eyes with Vernier Probes
All Vernier Software & Technology probes, both analog and digital, are now Window Eyes-compatible
All analog probes for chemistry, physics, earth science, and biology allow students with BLV to obtain real-time data readings
All balances distributed by Vernier are Window Eyes- compatible and provide real-time measurements
More Window Eyes-compatible digital probes are being developed (

15. Window Eyes/Logger Pro Interface with Vernier Stainless Steel Temperature Probe

16. Window Eyes/Logger Pro Interface With Analytical Scale

17. Window Eyes/Logger Pro Interface with Vernier Gas Chromatograph
Gas chromatograph used for a chemical analysis of a polyethylene sample

18. Window Eyes/Logger Pro Interface with Vernier Drop Counter Probe

19. Independence Science
Products assist in compliance with ADA regulations and increase student confidence and comfort with science procedures, field studies, and lab experiments.
Accessibility products compatible with full line of Vernier data collection technology.
Provides solutions through access technology and consultation, facilitating barrier-free learning environments for all students. (

20. Sci-Voice Talking LabQuest
1.The TLQ provides spoken real-time probe readings
2. Access to file menu options
3. Data table navigation
4. Start and stop of data collection
Not all functions of the TLQ are accessible via text-to-speech. However, this effort is a 2-year R&D project sponsored by the NSF.
Future enhancements will be available free of charge to all customers of the TLQ through the end of 2013.

21. Sci-Voice Talking Labquest/LoggerPro Interface

22. Sci-Voice Talking Labquest Periodic Table

23. Multi-Sensory Lab Gear Kit by MDW Education Services
To measure solids and liquids.
Talking thermometer.
Spring scales with tactile marks and braille.
Syringes with tactile marks.
Marked beakers, plastic bottles, and glass jars. (

24. Multi-/Sensory Science Learning Experiences Are Good for All Students
Many of the blind/low vision adaptations to lab curricula enhance learning for all students.
Text-to-speech output of spoken data points from a computer equipped with a text-to-speech screen reader can focus more attention on key data points being collected.
The audio trace graph feature in the Logger Pro software application provides a qualitative representation of the slope of a line on a Cartesian graph.
The extra verbal descriptions of what is happening during labs and lecture demonstrations point out additional key aspects to all students, not just the blind.

25. Summary of High Tech & Low Tech Solutions
SAVI/SELPH
Vernier Software & Technology hardware and software.
Window Eyes/Logger Pro application.
Sci-Voice Talking Labquest.
Multi-Sensory Lab Gear Kit.

26. Acknowledgments Missouri Western State University
Illinois State University
National Science Foundation Award Number
GW Micro
ViewPlus Technologies
Independence Science
Vernier Software & Technology
Xump.com Science Supplies, Toys, & Gifts
Yixin Scientific Equipment Co., Ltd.

27. Online Resources
National Center for Blind Youth in Science
STEM Accessibility
MDW Educational Services
Entrypoint Internship Program
Institute for Accessible Science
ACS Chemists with Disabilities Committee
Science for Students with Disabilities
ILAB project
Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT)

28. Acknowledgments Illinois State University
Illinois State University Chemistry Department
National Science Foundation Award Number
GW Micro
ViewPlus Technologies
Independence Science
Vernier Software & Technology

29. References
DeLucchi, L.; Malone, L. SAVI (Science Activities for the Visually Impaired). In A Teacher’s Guide to the Special Educational Needs of Blind and Visually Handicapped Children; Mangold, S., Ed.; American Foundation for the Blind: New York, 1982; pp
Miner, Dorothy; Nieman, Ron; Swanson, Anne; Woods, Michael. Teaching Chemistry to Students with Disabililties: A Manual for High Schools, Colleges, and Graduate Programs. American Chemical Society, 2001.
Piaget, Jean. Science of Education and the Psychology of the Child. Orion Press, New York, NY, 1970.
Supalo, C. Teaching Chemistry and Other Science to Blind and Low-Vision Students Through Hands-On Learning Experiences in High School Science Laboratories. Doctoral Dissertation, Pennsylvania State University, 2010.
Supalo, C. The Next Generation Laboratory Interface for Students with Blindness or Low Vision in the Science Laboratory. Journal of Science Education for Students With Disabilities, 2013 (accepted for publication)
Woods, Michael. Working Chemists with Disabilities: Expanding Opportunities in Science. American Chemical Society, 1996.