Instruction in Areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum Linked to Transition Outcomes for Students with Visual Impairments

2011 ◽  
Vol 105 (6) ◽  
pp. 340-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Wolffe ◽  
Stacy M. Kelly
2021 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-41
Author(s):  
Lauren J. Lieberman ◽  
Katie Ericson ◽  
Maria Lepore-Stevens ◽  
Karen Wolffe

Introduction: The expanded core curriculum (ECC) refers to the generally accepted nine areas of instruction that children who are visually impaired (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision) must learn through explicit instruction in order to live independently as adults. Children with visual impairments must experience immersion in the ECC in their daily lives throughout the year rather than only being taught these skills during the school year by teachers of students with visual impairments. Therefore, this research was undertaken to determine whether athletes attending Camp Abilities, a sports camp for children with visual impairments, experienced new ECC skills or practiced previously learned ECC skills and if so, how. Method: Researchers chose to interview 10 athletes from a purposeful sample of 30 children who had previously attended camp. The 10 coaches who worked with these athletes one-on-one participated in focus group discussions at the end of the weeklong camp. In addition, all athletes and coaches attending camp listed their thoughts on posters describing how all athletes attending experienced areas of the ECC. Finally, researchers documented observations of athletes’ opportunities to practice ECC content throughout the weeklong program. Researchers transcribed interviews and focus group discussions and reviewed for themes relating to ECC areas that were part of the students’ lived experience during camp. Results: Three major conclusions emerged from reviews of the interviews, discussion group transcripts, posters, and observations: (1) athletes and coaches were initially unclear about what the ECC areas were and how the athletes experienced the ECC in their everyday academic and home activities; (2) following clarification of the ECC areas, the athletes came to recognize how they learned and applied ECC skills during the camp experience; and (3) a more structured instructional approach to applying the ECC at camp may further enhance their experiences. Discussion: The youth participants were not able to list and describe all of the ECC areas when interviewed at the end of camp. However, adult participants (coaches) listed most ECC areas and described how athletes experienced the ECC during camp in their focus group discussions. Once researchers clarified ECC areas for athletes, they identified self-determination, recreation and leisure, social interaction, and independent living as the areas of the ECC most often experienced during camp. Implications for practitioners: Practitioners need to pay attention to structured learning of the ECC areas and consider articulating for students which areas overlap in their everyday lives, so that they are fully aware of the multiple skills they are acquiring. Camp Abilities is a functional way for youths with visual impairments to experience all areas of the ECC.


2021 ◽  
pp. 026461962110293
Author(s):  
Ying-Ting Chiu ◽  
Tiffany Wild

The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is a set of concepts and skills that are taught to students with visual impairments to support their learning that often occurs incidentally with vision. Students with visual impairments must learn both the ECC and content from the general education curriculum, including science. Thus, it is crucial to incorporate these two sets of curricula so that students with visual impairments can learn both sets of curricula more efficiently. This article presents an analysis of science curricula and lesson plans that support the Next Generation Science Standards while promoting teaching skills to students with visual impairments in the ECC. The results show that the ECC can be incorporated into science easily which will allow the ECC and science to be taught in one lesson.


2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 293-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen E. Wolffe ◽  
Sharon Z. Sacks ◽  
Anne L. Corn ◽  
Jane N. Erin ◽  
Kathleen M. Huebner ◽  
...  

This article describes the results of a qualitative study on researchers’ observations of teachers of students with visual impairments and how the teachers spend their time in the classroom. The researchers report on the types of training and services being provided to students, including instruction in areas of the expanded core curriculum, also known as disability-specific skills training.


2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-113
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Cmar ◽  
Kasey Markoski

Introduction: Self-determination is a highly valued but under-researched component of the expanded core curriculum for students with visual impairments. In this study, the authors present results of a literature review on self-determination for children and youths with visual impairments (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision). Method: Self-determination studies were identified through searches of electronic databases for articles published from 2003 to 2016. Two researchers reviewed the articles and rated them in terms of quality indicators for research in special education. Results: Eleven articles, using correlational, qualitative, group experimental or quasi-experimental, and single-case research designs, met inclusion criteria for this literature review. Adherence to the quality indicators varied from 33% to 100%. Discussion: Students with visual impairments need age-appropriate opportunities to develop self-determination skills in school, home, and community settings. Short-term, focused programs and interventions may be promising methods for teaching self-determination skills; however, more research needs to be conducted to establish evidence-based practices in this area. Implications for practitioners: Practitioners can facilitate development of self-determination skills by supporting students in making decisions affecting their lives, encouraging involvement of students in the education and transition planning processes, and promoting self-advocacy.


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