Re: Physics for a blind student

["Van E. Neie" <ven@PHYSICS.PURDUE.EDU>]

Peter Schoch wrote:

> Our disabilities coordinator has asked me if a blind student could
> attend, and be successful in, my Physics class in the Fall.
>
> I said I wasn't sure and would have to meet with the student.  She is
> very motivated, and has good grades thus far.  She needs only Algebra
> based Physics for Medical school!
>
> I told her we could try, but that I was not familiar with any aides to
> teach Physics to the bilnd.  Also, that much of our work deals with
> force diagrams and pictures of what is happening, and I wasn't sure how
> to "translate" all of that.  I told her to wait for a few weeks and I'd
> ask for help to see if it's possible.
>
> So, this is my plea for help.  I feel totally out of my element in this
> area.  Has anyone had experience with teaching a blind student,
> Physics?  Is there research somewhere that could help me?  I don't want
> to give her false hope, and then fail to help her achieve her goal
> because I was unable to find the proper methodology to convey the
> material.
>
> Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me.
>
> Peter Schoch
> Sussex County Community College

We had a blind student at Purdue who took physics and was helped by a
graduate student and one of our professors.  An article about this was
published about a year or two ago in the Physics Teacher.  I don't have
the citation handy, but I'll look for it and get back to you.  Meanwhile,
I'm forwarding this message to the professor who was involved.


--
Van E. Neie                       Ph:  765-494-5511
Purdue University              FAX: 765-494-0706
Dept of Physics                   Home:  157 Ivy Hill Drive
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"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find that it is tied to
everything else in the universe."
               ---John Muir