Teaching An Introductory Physical Geology Course To A Student With Visual Impairment

Abstract

Any instructor, with some extra effort and preparation, can accommodate a student with visual impairment in an introductory physical geology course. Advance planning, frequent communication between the student and the instructor, assistance from the institution's Office of Disabled Student Services, modified laboratory exercises, and innovative props created for a physical geology course can assist in making the experience positive not only for the student with visual impairment, but also for other students enrolled in the course. Steps that were necessary for successful completion of this course included meeting the student with visual impairment and making arrangements to provide all the handouts and syllabi for the course prior to the commencement of the class, detailed planning of all lectures, class activities, and laboratory exercises, and mechanisms for providing feedback for the instructor and student throughout the duration of the course.