TEACHING PHYSICAL GEOLOGY LABS TO VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS: HANDS ON AND COMPUTER OFF

In the Geological Sciences Department at Arizona State University we have seen in the past a larger proportion of visually impaired students taking physical geology courses. The current lab setup is predominantly 80% computer based and in a group instructional setting. Due to the increasing amount of impaired students, the teaching of the labs and course load have been altered to accommodate the students on a one-on-one basis but with more emphasis on individual analysis of geology. This presentation will address new methods and “old fashioned” non – computer based methods of teaching geology to these students.