The Smart Brailler and Literacy

University of British Columbia Assistive Technology Consultant Edmonton Public Schools

Richard Svekla

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Introduction
The Smart Brailler, with the addition of apps, allows the teachers of students with visual impairments to provide the students with immediate feedback of success, encouragement to keep trying, and corrections when necessary. These apps are great tools when time constraints prevent the teacher from being with the student and also provides the student with the ability to learn independently. Student Background Grade 1 student 6 years of age Blind from birth braille user since January 2012 brailler lessons are taught during classroom pullout Knows the entire braille alphabet Knows some whole-word contractions For, but ,can, do, every, go, you ,and as
HEAR THE WORDS. SEE THE LETTERS. CONNECT THE DOTS.

Perkins Products Vice President & General Manager David Morgan says, We are convinced that this truly levels the playing field and de-mystifies the braille code to allow a shared learning experience for all student, parent, teacher, friend. John Godber, Head of Products and Publications for the UKs Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), says, This is the biggest step forward for learning braille since the invention of the Perkins Brailler. The Smart Brailler allows for integration in the classroom by allowing the student who is blind to work alongside and with their sighted peers. It helps facilitate socialization, mutual learning, interest in braille by all students, and provides the teacher with ease of access to the students written work. The Smart Brailler gives the student and their parents the ability to practice braille at home and to grow as a family with having the ability to communicate back and forth with each other through notes, cards and other paper communication. Braille homework will no longer be ignored or left for the student to get by on their own. Parents will be able to help with the learning process and become a bigger part of the learning team.

Materials and Method Perkins Smart Brailler Braille Literacy: A Functional Approach by Diane P. Wormsley Beginning with Braille by Anna M. Swenson Baseline assessment of his knowledge of braille was completed. Braille Literacy: A Functional Approach by Diane P. Wormsley and Beginning with Braille by Anna M. Swenson to teach him braille and literacy was used with the student. During this time I monitored his braille knowledge and introduced contractions as he moved along with his knowledge and understanding of braille and literacy. Results During the two weeks the student used the Smart Brailler in and out of class. He used it to complete assignments and to learn newer contractions. He also used it to reinforce his learning on wholeword contractions. By the end of his two weeks he was more confident in using the brailler in class and learned 8 new contractions; from, like, more, it, knowledge, not, people, and very. Next steps Introduce Smart Brailler to a grade 5 student Complete a pre braille assessment Complete a post braille assessment Introduce paired reading and writing to the class Allow the student who is blind to use the Smart Brailler and work with another student in the class to complete paired writing lesson

Objectives Does the Smart Brailler can increase the learning rate and retention of the braille contractions? Will the student demonstrate growth of braille during 2 weeks of Smart Brailler use compared to the use of the Perkins brailler during kindergarten and beginning of grade 1?

References Swenson, A. M. (1999). Beginning with Braille: Firsthand Experiences with a Balanced Approach to Literacy. New York: AFB Press. Wormsley, D. P. (2004). Braille Literacy: A Functional Approach. New York: AFB Press. Perkins . (2013, 07 03). Retrieved from Perkins: http://www.perkins.org/smartbrailler/ Its a happy story . (2013, 07 3). Retrieved from http://visionfora.blogspot.ca/2013/04/perkins-smart-brailler-my-turn.html

Copyright. Richard Svekla Assistive Technology Consultant EPSB 780 2324914 Richard.svekla@epsb.ca r_-svekla@live.ca