Blumberg Center     for Interdisciplinary Studies in Special Education Distance Education Indiana VI Licensure Program "Educator of Students with Exceptional Needs: Visual Impairments" Project Vision's distance education program in visual impairments is designed to prepare Indiana teachers to work with students who are blind or have low vision. The Program is a collaborative effort sponsored by the Indiana Department of Education, Division of Exceptional Learners with Indiana State University and Ball State University. The next cohort will begin the Program in January, 2008. Recruitment of graduate level students begins each August and completed applications to the Program must be received by Project Vision no later than October 15, 2007. New cohorts begin in January of each year. Project Vision purchases all textbooks and supplementary materials for students who are accepted into the Program if they are a teacher employed by a school system or special education planning district in Indiana. The Program for the 2008 cohort includes 16 credit hours of coursework including: 651: The Eye, its Function and Health - 3 credit hours (Spring Semester - 2008) 652: Programs and Services for Individuals with Visual Impairments - 3 credit hours (Fall Semester - 2008) 653: Communication Skills for Individuals with Visual Impairments - 3 credit hours (Spring Semester - 2009) 654: Instructional Accommodations for Individuals with Visual Impairments - 3 credit hours (Fall Semester - 2009) 655: Principles of Orientation and Mobility - 3 credit hours (Spring Semester - 2010) 656: Practicum in Visual Impairment - 1 credit hour (Arranged) Course descriptions can be found in the Project Vision Exceptional Needs: Visual Impairment Program brochure. Project Vision Exceptional Needs: Visual Impairment Program Brochure In addition to the course content delivered via distance education (using a web-based program called Blackboard), students are required to attend face-to-face meetings and seminars. Each month students must attend one face-to-face class meeting in Indianapolis, which is typically held from 5 - 7:30 p.m. on a weeknight. Project Vision will provide a free "boxed meal" for each student. Students also are required to attend all scheduled weekend seminars (651 and 653 each have two weekend seminars and 652, 654, and 655 each have one weekend seminar). Weekend seminars are typically held on the ISU campus in Terre Haute, however, some may be scheduled in Indianapolis. The weekend seminars begin on Friday evening, continue all day Saturday and conclude at noon on Sunday. Project Vision will make arrangements and pay for overnight hotel accommodations for students who live more than thirty miles from where the weekend seminars are being held (must be employed by a school system or special education planning district within Indiana). In addition, Project Vision will provide students with dinner on Friday, a continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and lunch on Saturday. Please note that distance education is not for everyone. Distance education requires self-motivation, discipline, and an ability to independently complete assignments in a timely manner. Web-based learning can be best described as a facilitated self-study. There are traditional training programs throughout the country that may be better suited for some individuals' learning styles. The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) tries to keep an updated list of those programs at www.aerbvi.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=107. Acceptance into the Project Vision Distance Education Program is a 6-part process. (1) Any individual wishing to submit an application must first notify Sharon Bryan at Project Vision who will begin a file for the potential applicant. Her email address is SharonBryan@indstate.edu. Be sure to include the following information: home address, city, state, and zip daytime and evening telephone numbers email address current place of employment whether you are currently employed on an Emergency License in the area of visual impairment and blindness what teaching licenses you currently hold or are eligible for in the state of Indiana where you intend to enroll (Indiana State University or Ball State University) (2) Next, the individual must complete the VI Distance Education Program Application Form. The application process includes three additional steps: complete and print the self-assessment on distance learning and computer technology; get a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor (if currently teaching); or a letter of recommendation from someone who is familiar with your teaching and interpersonal skills (if not currently employed); or a letter of recommendation by one of your undergraduate professors (if a recent graduate); and write an essay on your philosophy of teaching, your understanding of the role of a teacher of the visually impaired, and your reasons for deciding to pursue this license (maximum length 1,500 words). Mail your completed application along with a letter of recommendation, your written essayon your philosophy on educating students who are blind or have low vision, and your self-assessment on distance learning and computer technology to: Project Vision Blumberg Center College of Education, Room 502 Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN 47809 800-622-3035 (3) Once an individual has submitted the application packet to Project Vision, it will be reviewed to ensure the individual meets the minimum requirements to be considered a qualified applicant for the Program. Minimum requirements include, but are not limited to, a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75; a degree from an accredited school; and applicants must hold (or be eligible for) an Indiana teaching license in Special Education or General Education. Individuals who hold (or are eligible for) an Indiana teaching license in General Education may be required to take some additional courses depending upon a review of their transcripts by their respective university. Individuals who do not meet the minimum requirements will be contacted in writing explaining what is missing or deficient. (4) Applicants who have successfully completed steps (1), (2) and (3) shall be considered qualified applicants for the Program. Priority status will be given to applicants who are currently working in a local education agency (LEA) with an emergency license in the area of blindness and visual impairment and have a caseload of eligible students who are blind or visually impaired assigned to him or her. All qualified applicants will be placed into the pool of applicants within the parameters outlined in the lottery process. (5) Once a qualified applicant is selected via the lottery system they become a prospective candidate for the Program. You will be notified in writing, by mid-November, 2007, indicating whether or not you were selected as a prospective candidate. (6) After receiving notification of acceptance into the Program, prospective candidates must immediately begin enrollment at the university of their choice (either Ball State University or Indiana State University) in order to be ready to start classes in January. Acceptance into the Program is not acceptance into the graduate school at the university they choose. Candidates must make application for graduate school and meet the respective university's enrollment criteria. The distance education used for this program incorporates modules that originated from Project Within Reach, a grant project from Stephen F. Austin University. The modules have been adapted to cover the required Indiana Teacher Standards. Distance Ed ListServe Opportunities Resources Training Last modified: 22-June-07 Website Questions, Comments and Information Copyright © 2007 by Indiana State University.