[Blind-international-students] So what is "structured discovery"?

[Dan Weiner]

Oh boy, well I was being both serious and a bit ironic as I have never
actually been given a definition of it.
I don't follow any organization's philosophy and I have friends in both of
the blindness organizations here so I don't have an ax to grind but as I
said I never had anyone define what the difference is between standard
mobility and what the Louisiana center calls  structured discovery so I
figured someone would give me an example.
So if I understand the difference is mainly that instead of having an
instructor tell you an exact route, you sort of walk around and talk about
what you're hearing and the cane is telling you and figure out methods for
that?
Or am I wrong.

In other words, let's say I were in a new place and wanted to learn where a
particular coffee shop is or find out etc. how would structured discovery
help me with that?

I give that example as it's from real life, I like restaurants but
especially coffee shops as I love coffee.


Since you have put your thoughts on the table will put mine down--smile.
Whatever method you have learned you really have to as I say live your O and
M.
This is true of whatever technique, you have to go home and practice in real
life situations and find what works for you and what doesn't,  sighted
people aren't made in a mold and neither are blind people, what works for me
might not for you.
I for example, due to congenital rubella have a hearing problem in the left
ear, I actually only hear from the right.
You can tell me 10,000 times "oh follow that sound" and I can't do it or
only on a limited basis so techniques I use might be different than what you
use.

Cordially,

Dan W. and the Parker Dog

.


 

-----Original Message-----
From: Blind-international-students
[mailto:blind-international-students-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Everett Gavel
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2014 11:25 AM
To: blind-international-students at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Blind-international-students] So what is
"structureddiscovery"?

Good Morning, Dan,

An example of Structured Discovery would be when the O&M instructor follows
along with the student, nearby enough to keep them out of danger should any
real danger begin to show itself, but where the instructor mostly lets the
student figure things out on their own as much as possible.
Basically it's letting the student fumble around a bit if it comes to that,
letting them process the situation for themselves and giving them a chance
to truly learn, rather than being given the answers as to where they might
be, where & how they need to proceed, etc.

I spent 9 months under blindfold, at the Louisiana Center for the Blind, in
2010. Previous to that, in 1994, soon after losing most of my sight, I spent
4 months under blindfold during travel, at the Daytona Beach Rehab Center
for the Blind. I grasp and generally agree with the sentiment that an O&M
instructor need not be sighted to teach or properly "protect" their
students.

Structured Discovery is the term used by leading International Centers for
"blindness skills"
training here in the USA and in various places around the world.

Now, of course, if you're coming from a cynical standpoint and aren't really
looking for an answer, so be it. There are many who live such lives. To each
their own. Me, I've had it proven to me first-hand, on numerous occasions,
as to the simple validity and truth of such training. If you were really
looking for an answer, though, well there it is, take it or leave it. Enjoy
your week, Sir. Always happy to help when and where I can.
;-)


Strive On, Dan, Strive On!
Everett

Everett Gavel
Successful Adaptations, llc
"Achieving Success -- Through Better Access"
everettg at successfuladaptations.com
(719) 510-8017

----- Original Message ----- 
> Would be wonderful if someone gave me a down-to-earth example of 
> structured discovery mobility training aas anyone I've asked has not 
> given me anything that makes sense, give me examples from real life 
> please so I can understand--smile.
>
> Dan W.
>


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