[Home-on-the-range] …it's the way that we do it!

[Dianne Hemphill]

Hello federationist - thanks to those of you sharing your stories about teaching approaches you've experienced...underlying how these training approaches were  applied are the attitudes of those providing the training to us, the blind.  Here are a couple of additional Braille Monitor articles  that may further assist you in understanding  the differences between a "traditional"  training approach and "structured discovery learning"(SDL) approach:
1.  the August  Braille Monitor, (will be available on News Line a few more days)
The Client  career paradigm  by A. Lewis (article 9), and
2. in the October Braille Monitor
Ten Brook and the Beach Blanket

One of the most significant differences between the 2 training approaches is that of attitude towards the individuals goals. Thus a level of "expectation" is set early on by the instructor...and, frequently accepted by the student. Other significant differences include the use, or not, of problem solving and  listening to the students goals and building on them rather than predetermining a set of training  steps used with every student.

Here's an example of how I view the training approaches in a very  real defined way using orientation and mobility (O & M) or travel class, as NFB Centers call it. 
Traditional (Tr)
Student is provided a many day hands-on use of sighted guide (no cane yet). If some vision, no sleep shades.
SDL
Student is given both sleep shades and cane on arrival to program and expected to use immediately. If sighted guide is taught, it will be given minimal time near the end of a student's training.  Sighted guide is   viewed as a more dependent based skill, though useful at times in "real world" situations, should not be a persons first go-to skill.

TR
Route Training - this training approach is is a systematic application of skills and a pre-planned route. The instructor gives the student a strict  outline of where they are going, outlining the route as from a to b to c and the destination. This may be repeated many times until memorized. The instructor will be will the student every step of the way and quickly answer any questions that may come up.

SDL - Skills are necessary for this approach  though taught somewhat  differently than in traditional approaches. Training, using SDL,  though, as earlier mentioned  will have less focus  on  dependency  types of skills - how much formal training does it take  anyway to grab onto someone's elbow?  Also, the instructor will rarely do a "hands on"  positioning  of the students hands and body. This will be described to the student. The student may touch the instructor's hands if necessary for checking one's positioning.

The instructor will frequently answer a students questions with a question. This should help the student think about what they may well be able to figure out on their own if given a little time and the expectation to do so.  Example: Student asks, " am I going the right way". Instructor, "what would help you determine  that? What are the sounds, smells, sun,wind direction etc that would help you determine that." 
TR - "Well, if you don't know if you're going the right direction, stand where you are and ask the first person that comes your way." 
SDL - Rarely is a specific route taught. When this teaching approach is used, the student, on graduation of the program, will  frequently be unable to figure out how to get where they want to go without an O&M instructor coming  to their home, college, work site, etc and provides specific route training for that one situation.

SDL - With the student continually being asked to use clues in their situation to determine where they are, they can begin to apply this approach to travel when out of a program. 
TR
getting lost will not be allowed. An instructor will always be with you... except when you leave the program and you really aren't secure in going it alone.

	SDL getting lost will happen in real life. learning  to problem solve by on going using the SDL  approach  provides with the tools  to go where you want o go in the future with less fear and concern about the possibility of getting lost.
Because getting lost has already taken place during training opportunities, one can build confidence their ability to figure out how to rethink where they might be because of using problem solving techniques  used throughout the SDL training program. 
TR - Use your vision, if you have any, at all times.

SDL - learn to travel totally blind during training. Once you are out of the program you will be better prepared to determine when and where your vision is adequate and when your blindness skills are your best friend...or if a combination of the two best meets your needs.

TR Vision is always best so early introduction to low vision skills and tools is expected. As your vision changes, just give 'em a call and you can go back for additional training...

SDL - People are already using their low-vision, if they have any. If it was working so well, they wouldn't need help. They'd be employed and able to do all the things they wanted to do without further assistance.  Therefore having a solid basis in blindness  skills training, allows the student real freedom.

TR - There's a reason why most blind people are unemployed...and we, as professionals can do only so much to change this.

SDL - with proper training, the average blind person can do the average job if given the opportunity. We believe blind people can do much more than most people believe...and frequently more than the blind individual believes...

Let's help each other further understand the differences between traditional and SDL training so that the cycle of learned helplessness can stop. Dianne