Working Proposal

Making art meaningful to those with visual impairments
By Kelley Schotte

Background (or Position Statement): My elementary school is the vision school for our district. Our program supports and aides the learning  needs of visually impaired (VI) students, Kindergarten to 5th grade. These students range from slight visual impairments to students that are almost completely blind. This research is being done to better serve the needs of all of my students in the art room, but specifically looking at the needs of one student in particular (K).

Research Question and Sub questions: How do I make art meaningful for students with visual impairments? Is my school and its team equipped and trained enough to the best environment for a particular student? What does this child's curriculum in art look like? What tools and techniques are the best choices in the art room?

Related Research:
Martha Pamperin's guide to a VI adjusted curriculum. http://www.viguide.com/tactualart.htm
Dese- services and curriculum accommodations for the blind.
List is still developing.

Permission: My goal is to share the information and situations experienced throughout this study. I will need permission from parents, administrator and colleagues to share this gathered research data.

Data Sources: Other research articles, books, Internet resources, interviews of colleagues as well as students and parents, specialists and schools catering to VI. I also hope that personal journaling, filming and reflection on my teaching techniques with become a great data source.

Methods and Analysis: My goal is to use team work to build a curriculum that fits the needs of K. I will use knowledge gained through research to help K have a more meaningful experience in art. I plan to video tape myself teaching K with his Para, and see where we have room for growth, as well as where the "hang-ups" are in the lessons. The use of other teachers to observe my techniques and their ideas and advice to advance my techniques.

Time Line:
August-September(2012)-Begin journaling all encounters with K, teaching, in passing etc, as well as any ideas, suggestions and meetings that might pertain to K.
Formulate ideal goals for K to propose to team.
Seek permission for an potentially shared research information.
Meet with VI team and set realistic goals for K's art experience for 2012.
Internet researches for VI resources.

October-November- Film lessons with K. Making observations and analysis on that time.
Have meeting with willing art colleagues to get ideas. Reading time.
Interviews with other VI students and adults.
Possibly visit the School for the Blind in St. Joseph

December-January- Have someone else observe my teaching time with K to make recommendations, a fresh mind to the project.
Meet with VI team and assess where we are at in our goals, making adjustments as needed.

February-March- Start plans for 2013-2014 school year curriculum.
Decide on what tools need to be purchased and work on budget for this particular department of research.

April-May- Create a way to show the documented success and growth of K.

June- Reflect on school years work and goals. Decide ways to make it better for year two.

July-Build the best way to share findings with all that would benefit from this particular study

August-September (2013) - Get a game plan for 2nd grade art for K. Implement.

Possible Findings: My hope to find the best ways to assist my teaching of art to make it as meaningful of an experience as possible. I hope to learn from others research, gain new lessons, tools, and techniques to enhance my teaching abilities.

Dissemination: This is still being decided at this point. Possibilities include but are not limited to: Blog, published article, and conference presentation.

Budget: Potentially needing a few hundred dollars to purchase the tools and educational resources needed to assist in meaningful art making for VI students.