STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY PROGRAM
JEP
WELCOME TO
SPE 594/RHB 402- ADVANCED O&M SEMINAR

FALL 2009

Welcome to Stephen F. Austin State University and the online portion of SPE 594/RHB 402 "Advanced Orientation and Mobility Seminar".  This course is required for all students in the Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Certification and Undergraduate Programs.  If possible, it is preferable that you take this class the semester prior to your internship.  Class content will cover the skills and techniques of teaching O&M to persons of all ages and with varying degrees of vision and abilities.  Since this is your last O&M practicum class prior to internship it is a very important for you to make sure you have a competent knowledge of all the O&M skills. The chapters not already covered in "Big Red" in previous courses will be included in the module assignments in this class.  Additional information from various websites will also be utilized during this class.  The major emphasis of information covered will be to not only prepare you for internship but also for the ACVREP-O&M Certification Exam.   In preparation for the ACVREP exam it is critical that you not only locate the answers for the module questions, but read all the recommended reading assignments.  Reviewing the reference pages on the study guide domains are also important in your preparation for the exam.  You are encouraged to continue to review and study these and to take your exam during the second phase of your internship.

This course will also provide you a final opportunity to "fine-tune" and complete your O&M Skill/Teaching Notebook.  Make sure, that during this course, you correct and/or add any skills needed, plus additional teaching suggestions.  A review of skills and techniques will be covered in the module material, assignments, exam questions, interactive elluminate classes and reading assignments from the books and websites.  Reviewing these skills and adding information to your notebook is a good method of preparing for your internship.

An on-line course requires a strong committement by the student to be disciplined in doing lots of self-study.  Being prompt with assisngments and following through on reading and studying is critical for you to be succeessful in this class as well in your internship and on the ACVREP exam. 

Required Books:
Foundation of Orientation and Mobility, second edition of "Big Red", by Blasch, Wiener and Welsh.
Orientation and Mobility: Techniques for Independence by LaGrow and Weessies.  (This book can be order from AER .*)   Please order this book as soon as possible since the delivery time is usually 2 to 3 weeks.  These books may also be available in the SFASU Bookstore (phone: 936 468-2108; web site: www.sfasu.bkstr.com 
Orientation and Mobility Certification Examinatin Study Guide:  by Pazzi, Diane L., COMS.   Order from AER*  This is not a required text book but is recommended in preperation for the ACVREP exam.

*Note:  The "LaGrow, Weessies" book and the O&M Study Guide is discounted for members of AERBVI.  If you are not already a member of AER and are interested in joining this would be a good time to join at a reduced student rate.  You can locate information to join on-line at: (AER)

Recommended reading:   It is recommended that you read the following on-line book by Paul J. Schulz,. as you prepare for teaching visually impaired students and adults:

Mobility and Independence for the Visually Handicapped: Pschological Dynamics of the Teaching Process
If you have any questions or comments about this class or have trouble accessing this website please contact me by phone at (936)468-1145 or by e-mail at: bbryant@sfasu.edu

Before sending in your first assignment please read the information page.

For links to the course module page, syllabus, calendar and homepage, click on links below:

     MODULE PAGE         COURSE SYLLABUS      COURSE CALENDAR      INFORMATION PAGE      BOB'S HOMEPAGE