Course content

Target group

The course is primarily aimed at individuals who wish to acquire formal competence in visual impairment education for work in the education sector.

Academic content

The course provides an introduction to educational work related to visual impairment, targeting kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and adult education. Particular emphasis is placed on legislation and values that guide educational work, as well as on adaptations intended to promote inclusion and participation. The course also provides an introduction to the visual sensory system, various visual diagnoses, and methods for assessing visual function in an educational context.

Key topics in the course

• Legislation and values

• The visual sensory system and the most common visual diagnoses in the Western world

• Intervention-oriented assessment of visual function in an educational context

• Educational adaptations for visual impairment

The course also addresses topics related to complex difficulties.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student has

• knowledge of legislation and fundamental values
• knowledge of the visual sensory system and the most common visual diagnoses in the Western world
• knowledge of the assessment of visual function and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the assessment process
• knowledge of assistive devices and educational adaptations for visual impairment that promote inclusion, independence, and participation

Skills - the student can

• apply key educational methods for visual impairment in the assessment of visual function
• analyze and critically evaluate sources from various visual impairment professions and use the information to formulate educational reasoning
• apply knowledge of eye-related and brain-related visual diagnoses in relation to adaptation and guidance work
• apply relevant legislation and key policy documents in educational practice for visual impairment

General competence - the student can

• reflect on ethical issues in educational practice for visual impairment
• communicate about issues related to visual impairment education both orally and in writing
• use their knowledge and skills in visual impairment education independently and in collaboration with other professions

Learning methods and activities

Two days of practical training.

Compulsory assignments

• Two days of practical training

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences with a specialization in pedagogy, or
• Completion of the first three years of the general teacher education or preschool teacher education program, or
• Bachelor’s degree and a one-year practical-pedagogical education, or
• Other three-year education (such as social educator, nurse, social worker, child welfare educator, optometrist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, audiographer, etc.) that includes a minimum of 30 ECTS credits in pedagogy

Suitability Assessment and Authorization:

From autumn 2016, special education programs are subject to suitability assessment at NTNU. Suitability assessment is a continuous process that evaluates students’ professional and personal qualifications for work in teaching or health and social care professions, including special education. If there is doubt about a student’s suitability, a special assessment is conducted. Students who cannot master their professional training may be advised to discontinue the program if completion is unlikely.

For more information, please see the official NTNU page on suitability assessment: ​www.innsida.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/Norsk/Skikkethetsvurdering

Course materials

See the reading list (approx. 900 pages).