Partnerships in Active Learning: One School’s Transformation
Authors: Mary Zatta, Director of Professional Development, Perkins School for the Blind, Theresa Johnson, Clinical Supervisor/Deafblind Program, Perkins School for the Blind, and Jodi Falk, Executive Director, St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf
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Three years ago, St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf (SFDS) in Brooklyn, NY engaged Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts to provide professional development and mentoring regarding educating students who are deafblind as they were developing a deafblind program. The professional learning and mentoring sessions were provided monthly on a range of topics. Topics were mutually determined by Perkins and SFDS based on staff input and Perkins’s observations. Dr. Jodi Falk, Executive Director of SFDS, spearheaded this effort and worked tirelessly to provide the resources needed for the school to thrive.
One of the projects (of many!) that Jodi pursued was obtaining funding to purchase Active Learning equipment. Typical of Jodi, she wrote grants to obtain the funds and got the monies needed to purchase the equipment. With the grant funds they received, SFDS was able to acquire some of Dr. Lilli Nielsen’s recommended equipment and materials. They created an Active Learning room within their school. Items they acquired included a HOPSA dress and frame, Multi-Function Activity Table (MFAT), resonance board, support bench, Essef board, and Little Rooms. They also purchased some smaller items through LilliWorks such as a bead chain holder, wall-mounted hanger, tipping board, and bead can kit. They were excited to have this equipment, however, they didn’t have the background information or “in-house” expertise about the philosophy of Active Learning needed in order to begin using the equipment to support student learning. Therefore, it became clear that the staff of SFDS needed training and support from Perkins in this regard.
Active Learning trainer Theresa Johnson from Perkins provided a one-day, introductory lecture and workshop as the initial training for the staff of SFDS. The first half of the day focused on learning some of the background and fundamental principles of Dr. Nielsen’s Active Learning approach. The second half of the day involved the hands-on making of high-interest materials used to engage students while implementing the principles of Active Learning.
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Active Learning trainer, Theresa Johnson, provides an introductory training lecture on Active Learning principles. -
SFDS staff discuss materials that have strong visual, auditory and tactile characteristics. -
SFDS staff show what they created to the Active Learning trainer. -
SFDS staff enjoy showing the Active Learning materials they created.
Training was ongoing for the staff at SFDS through additional visits to the school by Theresa, as well as site visits to Perkins by key staff members to observe implementation of the principles of Active Learning. The focus of these visits was on supporting staff in using the Active Learning approach in their interactions with students. Several training methods were used during these visits. At times, SFDS staff worked with students while Theresa observed and made recommendations. Other times, Theresa worked directly with students demonstrating Active Learning methods while school staff members observed. SFDS recently began using a “Peer Coaching” model which involved having one of their staff members serve as a point person and contact with trainers from Perkins to facilitate the continued advancement of Active Learning knowledge in their school. This training allowed SFDS to initiate the use of Active Learning within a relatively short period of time in order to enhance students’ learning opportunities.
Theresa works directly with a student by offering a variety of interesting materials.
Over the past three years, SFDS created several areas within the school that allowed them to increase the use of Active Learning principles. In addition to the Active Learning room which contains major pieces of Active Learning equipment, they created a prep space in the library. This space contains a variety of supplies and materials that can be used for easily creating Active Learning items, as well as basic tools such as glue guns, cutting tools, and a 3D printer.
Other additions SFDS team members incorporated into their school based on their partnership with Perkins School for the Blind include materials for making visual-tangible symbols (in their prep space), a sensory integration therapy room, and a secondary motor room. Stay tuned for further updates regarding the professional learning initiative between SFDS and Perkins!
Quotes from SFDS faculty:
My student loves exploring her environment in the HOPSA dress on the free-standing track. This active movement continues to promote all the benefits of standing while working on her school-based physical therapy IEP goals. The Active Learning space exposes my students to different textures and/or materials while they are engaged in varying positions: supported standing, supine, sitting, etc., strengthening their ability to explore their environment. Andrea, Physical Therapist at SFDS
Using Active Learning has significantly enhanced students’ growth and development by empowering them as primary agents of their own learning. This approach has transformed my instructional practice by enabling me to observe and patiently wait as students engage in various activities. When feasible, I then follow their lead and assume a supportive role in facilitating their discoveries. Cheri, Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) & Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) at SFDS
Resources
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SFDS staff share and explain items they created during the Active Learning hands-on “make and take” workshop. -
SFDS staff share and explain items they created during the Active Learning hands-on “make and take” workshop. -
Theresa explains the purposes of Dr. Nielsen’s Little Room© and a Multi-Function Activity Table (MFAT)©.