Teaching Age-appropriate Purposeful Skills

The book "Teaching Age-Appropriate Purposeful Skills: An Orientation & Mobility Curriculum for Students with Visual Impairments" by Rona L. Pogrund and colleagues at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a comprehensive guide for educators and specialists working with students who are visually impaired. Here is a detailed overview:

Key Themes

1. Orientation and Mobility (O&M): The curriculum focuses on teaching students with visual impairments essential skills for navigating various environments, including home, campus, residential, commercial, and public transportation settings[1][2].
2. Functional Mobility Tasks: It includes practical strategies and goals for teaching functional mobility tasks, such as moving around safely and independently[1][2].
3. Ambulatory Devices: The curriculum covers the use of ambulatory devices, which are essential for students with visual impairments to enhance their mobility[1][2].
4. Evaluation and Assessment: It provides a comprehensive initial and ongoing evaluation framework to assess students' progress in O&M skills[1][2].
5. Street Crossing Strategies: A supplement included in the curriculum details strategies for safe street crossing, which is crucial for students who are visually impaired[1][2].

Plot Summary

The book is structured into four parts:

1. The Curriculum: This part includes goals, objectives, and teaching strategies for various environments. It provides a structured approach to teaching O&M skills tailored to different age groups (3 to 21 years)[1][2].
2. Comprehensive Initial and Ongoing Evaluation: This section outlines methods for evaluating students' O&M skills, ensuring that their progress is regularly assessed and adjusted as needed[1][2].
3. Appendices: The appendices contain a wide range of O&M-related topics, providing additional resources and information for educators and specialists[1][2].
4. Supplement: Street Crossings for Travelers Who Are Visually Impaired: This supplement offers detailed strategies for safe street crossing, which is a critical skill for students with visual impairments[1][2].

Critical Reception

While there is no specific critical reception available in the provided sources, the book has been widely used and respected in the field of special education for visually impaired students. Its comprehensive approach and structured teaching strategies make it a valuable resource for educators and specialists.

Availability

The book is available in both hard copy and digital versions, with the digital version priced at $117.00[1][2].

In summary, "Teaching Age-Appropriate Purposeful Skills" is a highly regarded curriculum that provides a structured approach to teaching O&M skills to students with visual impairments. Its comprehensive nature and practical strategies make it an essential tool for educators and specialists in this field.