[Pibe-division] Teaching Virtual Teachers

[Dr. Denise M. Robinson]

Teaching Virtual Teachers 
I have teachers of the blind calling me from all over to learn the 
virtual techniques to teach students. The excitement of showing them 
another way is always a joy for me.  Today was no exception to this 
rule. If you want to be one of these teachers...send an email and we can get going.

Last year this teacher quit her job to have a beautiful baby. Before she
 had quit I told her what I had been doing in regards to virtual 
teaching and that if she wanted, she could do it too from home, while 
still caring for her children. A couple days ago I got the email asking 
about the virtual teaching.

I took her through the process of being the student and how I connected 
to her and then her being the teacher and connecting to me and all the 
many aspects that went along with virtual teaching. Her excitement of 
its potential could be felt across the wires. We will practice until she
 is comfortable and then when she gets students I can assist when she 
needs it.

I have discovered several different ways to do virtual instruction. When
 you go across state or country lines, the connections vary. Instead of 
phoning and adding up long distance charges, I connect with SKYPE, give 
directions, then bring up JAWS Tandem and we continue both throughout 
the lesson. If the video becomes too garbled because of bandwidth, we go
 to just audio. Local calls can be phone and straight Tandem. I have 
also given lessons straight through chat, text and Tandem. There are so 
many ways and options. Meetings with school personnel can happen through
 SKYPE or a phone. If teaching braille or other hands on skills, a para 
educator is on the other side following instructions on how to help the 
child position their fingers....all watched through video on my side.

Most importantly, we have the ability to teach every child as long as 
there is a phone line. Every child could potentially have the ability to
 receive as much instruction as they need to achieve their goals and 
dreams. We need more options to address the challenge of teaching so 
many children. This is just one more option. http://blindgeteducated.blogspot.com/
 
       Denise 
 
Denise M. Robinson, TVI, Ph.D. 
Teacher of the Blind & Visually Impaired
TechVision-Independent Contractor
Specialist in blind programming/teaching/training
509-674-1853     deniserob at gmail.com
 
http://blindgeteducated.blogspot.com/
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