Workshop 1: Let’s Get Thinking! Executive Functions, Divergent Thinking, and TVI Influence through Instruction for Students with Visual Impairments

This workshop session shares results of two studies focused on understanding the thinking skills of students with visual impairments. A particular focus will be on what we know about the executive functions (EF) of students with VI and how as TVIs we can shape our assessment and instruction in the core and expanded core curriculum to support our student’s development of thinking skills and learner agency. In a playful way, we will take a critical look at our natural teaching styles and analyze how to tweak them to give our instruction an ”EF Boost,” including for students with additional disabilities.

Workshop 2: Graphic Literacy: What goes into Understanding Pictures and Diagrams?

This workshop focuses on how we can support our students with VI to engage with and understand visual information in the classroom. We will learn about the Model of Graphic Interpretation (MoGI), how it came about, and explore each of the contributing factors in the model. Practical suggestions for assessing and teaching students to use graphical information effectively and efficiently with an emphasis on tactile graphics will be part of this presentation. Strategies will include promoting systematic exploration and teaching specific hand movements (for tactile graphics) among others. Connections will be made to the Thinking Skills workshop, but is not a pre-requisite to engaging in this workshop.

This event addresses the following Standards from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 1.Standard 1 (know the students and how they learn), Standard 4 (create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments), and Standard 6 (engage in professional learning). It fits within the Priority Area of Children/ Student with Disabilities. These events are evidence and research based.