Resources for Researchers

Science Education for BLV Students

  1. Inquiry-based instruction has been studied and proven beneficial for BLV students in learning science in multiple studies, such as Koehler (2017), Hilson et al. (2016), Wild, Hilson, & Farrand (2013), Wild, Hilson, & Hobson (2013), and Wild & Trundle (2010a) (2010b). Check these articles out if interested!

  2. Impact of adaptive materials on teachers and their students with visual impairments in secondary science and mathematics classes (Rule et al., 2011): An informative article that reports science and mathematics teachers' perspectives in teaching BLV and sighted students together as well as provides useful teaching strategies in so doing.

  3. Policy analysis of science-based best practices for students with visual impairments (Wild & Allen, 2009): This article discusses science-based best practices for BLV students and reasons why this discussion is critical.

  4. Adapting science material for the blind (ASMB): expectation for student outcomes (Linn & Thier, 1975): A report of research conducted to examine the effectiveness of the ASMB units. The report indicates evidence-based results that can be used to teach science to blind students.

  1. Enhancing mathematical noticing of graphs through movement, voice, and metaphor: An intervention with two students with visual impairment (Gerofsky & Zebehazy, 2020)

  2. Braille and tactile graphics: youths with visual impairments share their experiences (Rosenblum & Herzberg, 2015)

  3. Straight from the source: perceptions of students with visual impairments about graphic use (Zebehazy & Wilton, 2014)

  4. Identifying raised-line drawings by touch: a hard but not impossible task (Picard & Lebaz, 2012)

  5. The role and characteristics of tactile graphics in secondary mathematics and science textbooks in braille (Smith & Smothers, 2012)

  6. Tactile graphics in school education: perspectives from pupils (Aldrich & Sheppard, 2001)

  • Technology has changed the way we teach and learn science. You should be able to find many articles about a variety of technologies invented to help BLV students learn science. However, education researchers need to keep in mind that technology also has its limitations. The articles below serve as a reminder or warning for education researchers who are interested in conducting research in this area:

  1. Implications of 3-D printing for teaching geoscience concepts to students with visual impairments (Koehler et al., 2018)

  2. Assistive learning technologies for students with visual impairments: a critical rehumanizing review (Ahmed & Chao, 2018)

  3. ConfChem conference on interactive visualizations for chemistry teaching and learning: concerns regarding accessible interfaces for students who are blind or have low vision (Supalo, 2016)

  • For resources on the integration of the Core Curriculum and the Expanded Core Curriculum in the visual impairment field, please refer to the Integrated Learning page.