From: Anne Wadsworth [mailto:awadsworth@prcvi.org] Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 9:31 AM Hi ..... In response to your query regarding our MB Pilot Project I will copy and paste below some information that I have distributed to the brl help list serve. Dr. Cay Holbrook and I are also in the final stages of writing an article for the journal of VI and blindness with our findings. You might also want to check out some excellent resources that we have developed for the MB pro - they are described below with the URL to access them. Please contact me directly if you would like further information. Anne Wadsworth ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- Here's a brief summary of the MB research project.... 1. Impact on Literacy Development ? Writing Teachers reported that their students made better progress in the acquisition of braille writing skills because of the Mountbatten Brailler. They noted that beginning braille readers often do not have adequate finger strength to produce readable dots on a manual braille writer. When using the Mountbatten Brailler, these children can produce well-defined, raised, braille dots that they can more easily tactually discriminate and read. Students were more motivated to write for longer periods of time when using the Mountbatten Brailler, compared to a manual braille writer. The speech feedback feature is helpful for students who require multi-sensory feedback and some teachers reported this feature helpful in reinforcing the learning of new braille contractions. It made writing more “fun” for most students. 2. Impact on Literacy Development ? Reading Vision teachers reported that the Mountbatten Brailler contributed to improved progress in the development of braille reading skills in 15 of the 16 students involved in the project. Students were better able to tactually discriminate and read the well-defined, consistent, raised dot output of the Mountbatten. The ‘hard copy” braille output provides immediate tactile feedback, particularly necessary for beginning readers. The print-to-braille translator provides students with increased access to “on the fly”, classroom teacher developed, reading materials in braille. 3. Impact on Inclusion Most of the vision teachers and students reported that the Mountbatten Brailler provided more opportunities to be included in a wider range of classroom activities. Sighted primary age classmates are drawn to the “user friendly” appearance of the Mountbatten. The qwerty keyboard and the Mountbatten’s print-to-braille and braille-to-print translation features, facilitated cooperative group writing projects in both braille and print. The use of regular paper makes braille less “different” and more readily accepted. The braille-to-print translation feature and the print visual display allow the regular classroom teacher to have instant access to the student's brailled work. In some classroom settings, however, the embossing and beeper noise from the Mountbatten was found to be disruptive. 4. Impact on Development of Basic Technology Skills In general, teachers report that the technology-related skills their students develop while using a Mountbatten Brailler can serve as a foundation for learning more complex technologies, such as braille note takers and computers. These basic skills can be taught to young students who are still at a concrete level of reasoning, as the Mountbatten produces immediate and “real” hard copy braille. Subject: Emergent Literacy Skills and the Mountbatten Braille Writer Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2001 13:28:24 -0800 From: Anne Wadsworth To: Braille Help Hi...and Season Greetings! In my posting of October 19th 2001 to this listserve regarding the Mountbatten Braille Writer (MB) and the research project we have undertaken in British Columbia to evaluate the MB as a tool for beginning literacy development, I indicated that SET-BC was developing some new resources to support emerging braille literacy using the MB. Two new resources. written and designed by Graham Cook, a teacher of students with visual impairments in Peace River, British Columbia, are now available to view and download in adobe pdf format on the SET-BC website at http://www.setbc.org/res/mbpro/default.html The first resource "MB Pro - The Second Generation Mountbatten Brailler - A Visual Guide" is a user-friendly learning and reference guide for teachers that covers the basic operations of the Mountbatten Pro Braille Writer. (53 page document) The second resource "MB Pro Braille Writer - Step by Step Introductory Lessons" is a series of lesson modules designed for beginning braille readers and writers - ideally K-1. Lesson plans include many detailed and creative activities for enhancing literacy development as well as concept development. Graham has used these lesson plans successfully with his students and they are shared as suggestions for teachers to adapt to suit the needs of their individual students. (168 page document) Merry Christmas and peace and goodwill to all! Anne Wadsworth Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired Vancouver, British Columbia