❗The content presented here is sourced directly from Futurelearn platform. For comprehensive course details, including enrollment information, simply click on the 'Go to class' link on our website.

Updated in [May 25th, 2023]

Welcome to the course "Learning Through Play with LEGO Braille Bricks"! This course is designed to help teachers, teaching assistants and other practitioners working with children who are visually impaired to apply a play-based method to teaching braille skills. Through this course, you will gain an understanding of the principles of learning through play and how to use LEGO Braille Bricks to foster a breadth of skills in all children.

This course will provide you with an introduction to the principles of learning through play and how to use LEGO Braille Bricks to engage children with learning braille. You will also learn how to create your own braille activities and lesson plans.

Possible Development Directions: You will be encouraged to share learning ideas with others and collaboratively develop further LEGO Braille Brick activities. You will also get playful tips and tricks from the LEGO Foundation’s pedagogy experts.

Related Learning Suggestions: Access to the LEGO Braille Bricks toolkit is an advantage, but not a prerequisite. The toolkits are free of charge for TVIs, schools and institutions in the countries where the concept has been launched. Certain eligibility criteria apply. For more information, contact a local partner on www.LEGObraillebricks.com.

[Applications]
Upon completion of this course, participants are encouraged to apply the principles of learning through play when teaching pre-braille and braille, using LEGO Braille Bricks. Participants should also experiment and collaborate with learning, and share ideas with others to develop further LEGO Braille Brick activities. Access to the LEGO Braille Bricks toolkit is an advantage, but not a prerequisite. The toolkits are free of charge for TVIs, schools and institutions in the countries where the concept has been launched. Certain eligibility criteria apply.

[Career Paths]
Recommended career paths:
1. Teacher for the Visually Impaired (TVI): TVIs are responsible for teaching braille and other skills to visually impaired students. This job requires specialized knowledge and skills, and is a growing field as more and more visually impaired students are entering the education system.
2. Educational Therapist: Educational therapists specialize in helping students with learning disabilities, including those with visual impairments. They use a variety of techniques to help students learn and develop skills. This job is expected to grow in the coming years as more students with disabilities enter the education system.
3. Assistive Technology Specialist: Assistive technology specialists help students with disabilities use technology to access educational materials. This job is expected to grow as more students with disabilities enter the education system and as technology advances.
4. Special Education Teacher: Special education teachers work with students with disabilities, including those with visual impairments. They use a variety of techniques to help students learn and develop skills. This job is expected to grow in the coming years as more students with disabilities enter the education system.

[Education Paths]
Recommended Degree Paths:
1. Early Childhood Education: Early childhood education focuses on teaching children from birth to age 8. This degree path is ideal for those interested in learning how to use play-based methods to teach braille skills to young children. Developing trends in this field include the use of technology and digital tools to enhance learning, as well as the use of play-based approaches to foster a breadth of skills in all children.

2. Special Education: Special education focuses on teaching students with disabilities, including those with visual impairments. This degree path is ideal for those interested in learning how to use LEGO Braille Bricks to create inclusive learning environments for visually impaired children. Developing trends in this field include the use of technology and digital tools to enhance learning, as well as the use of play-based approaches to foster a breadth of skills in all children.

3. Educational Technology: Educational technology focuses on the use of technology and digital tools to enhance learning. This degree path is ideal for those interested in learning how to use technology and digital tools to create engaging and interactive learning experiences for visually impaired children. Developing trends in this field include the use of virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence to create immersive learning experiences.

4. Educational Psychology: Educational psychology focuses on the study of how people learn and develop. This degree path is ideal for those interested in learning how to use play-based methods to foster a breadth of skills in all children. Developing trends in this field include the use of technology and digital tools to enhance learning, as well as the use of play-based approaches to foster a breadth of skills in all children.

Course Syllabus

Learning Through Play

LEGO Braille Bricks Concept

Pre-braille Intro - Manipulation

Pre-braille 2 - Orientation

Pre-braille 3 - Constellation

Braille Intro - Characters

Braille 2 - Literacy

Braille 3 - Numeracy