Objective: To describe methods to assess children’s best or most efficient learning modality

• Learning media assessment (LMA) refers to an array of procedures, both formal and informal, that assist families and teachers to determine how best to teach individual children. Some assessments are available commercially, but many teachers develop their own system for observing and documenting how children learn. The decision to instruct in braille, print, or both is a foundational decision for families and educators that should be discussed when a child enters formal education.
• The information from previous observations, clinical assessments, and FVAs (see Module 4) are used in conjunction with LMA. It is important that multiple sources of information are utilized to inform the decision about how best to instruct a child.
• The predominant methods of learning are visual, tactual, and auditory.
• Traditionally, classroom instruction is visual. When teaching children with visual impairment, it is important to instruct from their experience, rather than yours.
• Observe how children approach the tasks they are assigned in a classroom. Often they demonstrate by their actions what works for them. Do they:
• Move their heads close to print materials or hold objects close to one or both eyes?
• Tactually explore objects, manipulate them, with or without moving close to the object?
• See the chalk and bulletin boards from their seat, or do they need to move up close?
• Appear confused when moving between environments or different light intensities or weather?
• Become distracted by auditory information, or does auditory information seem to compete for their attention?
• Seem to be interested in pictures and photographs?
• Seem more or less effective when moving? Is there reticence in walking? Are the hands used to guide along walls or hallway?
• All of these questions provide clues to what may be the best learning channel for a child.
• The LMA should be repeated periodically. Children change, and so do the requirements of each grade level.