[Pibe-division] Braille Reading Styles

[Sheila Amato]

Dear Sally and list members, 

If you Google the ABC Braille Study (Alphabetic Braille and Contracted Braille Study) you will find out that several leaders in the field of education of children who are blind collaborated on a 5-year longitudinal study that asked (among others) the following questions that are pertinent to your question on reading instruction methodology below. This study was funded by the American Printing House for the Blind. 



Hand Movements in Braille Reading
Research Question (Implied):
Are there differences in hand movements of C and U readers?
Specific Hand Movement Issues
Do children’s hand movement patterns remain the same over time or do they change?
Is there a relation between hand movement patterns and reading rates?
Is there a relation between hand movement characteristics and reading rates?
Is there a relation between hand movement patterns and grade level?
Do hand movement patterns differ according to whether children were initially taught contracted versus uncontracted braille?
Do hand movement patterns correlate to the number of contractions introduced?
Do hand movement characteristics correlate to the number of contractions introduced?
What is the relation between the number of contractions introduced and reading speed?

some factors looked at were:

Types of Hand Movements
One-handed reading: left hand, right hand
 
Two handed reading
left hand used as marker
parallel hands - left and right together
split hands - left and right together until near end of line, and then separate
scissors reading - both hands used independently

If you Google this study, you will find much published information about the results, in the form of data as well as presentations that have been given. 

Both teachers in the field now, and those who are in teacher preparation programs strive to follow "best practice" when teaching our students.  We are very appreciative of the folks who undertook this landmark study for the purpose of determining the answers to these important questions. 

Thank you for asking!

Sheila Amato,
TVI and university teacher-trainer
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Andy & Sally Thomas 
  To: Professionals in Blindness Education Division List 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 1:34 PM
  Subject: [Pibe-division] Braille Reading Styles


  Dear Teachers,

  I am curious about braille reading styles.  Do teachers generally work with a child to develop the fastest reading style or, after contractions are taught, does the teacher usually allow the child to work with a style that is comfortable for the child?  I've seen people read with a "scissors" technique and read really quickly.  Is this an unusual technique or is it a natural progression in learning?

  Thanks for your help.

  Sally Thomas


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