Lost in Space: An O&M Instructor’S Guide to Teaching Spacial Skills

Photo: A small, blue compass sits on a weathered wood background.

ONGOING On-Demand Webinar

Remote O&M instruction is a challenge. By now, most teachers have discovered that some content areas lend themselves better to distance instruction than other areas. One of the most useful topics that can be taught remotely is orientation, referring not to route learning but to overall spatial development. We learned as part of our university programs that cardinal directions and landmark selection are important, but why (and exactly how critical are they)? Why do some students excel at independent exploration while others struggle to follow a simple route? In this 2-hour Zoom presentation, you’ll learn about mental rotationNDIPE and frame of reference, which together form the foundation of strong spatial awareness; learn how to quickly assess your students’ relative strength and weakness in each area; and learn which O&M skills contribute to each area. We’ll discuss teaching strategies and exercises that help develop individual skills and strengthen the overall foundation, discuss what kind of technological setups work well for remote spatial awareness lessons and why, and review the role that both simple and complex tactile graphics can play in the instruction process.

Participants will:

  • Define mental rotation and allocentric frame of reference and explain how they function in the context of spatial awareness
  • Name at least 3 skills that develop mental rotation ability
  • Name at least 3 skills that develop an allocentric frame of reference

Presenter: Sarah McIntyre, Lighthouse-SF

Optional 2 ACVREP Credits are provided at no charge for current CAOMS members, and at $30 for non-CAOMS members.

CLICK HERE to Access ACVREP Credit On-Demand Webinar Form with Recording

N-CAOMS membership is $30 annually and is open to professionals across the nation. To learn more about N-CAOMS Membership: