Name of teaching material
A tapping rod self-made product
Japanese Page URL
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Teaching material
usage scene
| Target |
Younger and older children with visual impairment Elementary, lower secondary, and upper secondary divisions |
|---|---|
| Disability category | visual impairment |
| Teaching units / Applicable scenes | physical education |
| Specific purposes |
• To prevent swimmers from crashing into the pool wall • To tell swimmers the timing of their turns • To offer swimmers a sense of safety and help enhance their performance |
| Considerations for disability characteristics | Swimming is a relatively safe activity for children with visual impairment. However, they are at risk of colliding with the pool wall because they cannot visually recognize it; therefore, they cannot always demonstrate their optimum performance. From this perspective, by telling the children in advance that they are approaching the wall, we can create an environment in which they can concentrate on their swimming. |
| Expected effects and results |
• Because the children can swim without fear of colliding with the pool wall, they can concentrate on their swimming with a sense of safety. • Swimmers can turn quickly because they are aware of the distance to the wall. |
| How to use |
When a swimmer is approaching the pool wall, a tapper (i.e. the person who taps) taps the swimmer’s head or shoulder quickly to make them aware of the presence of the wall. • Because the tapper is touching the swimmer’s head or part of their body, they should use a material that is soft and easily recognized by the swimmer. • The rod length should be adjustable (e.g. made from an elastic material) to suit the swimmer’s ability. • Select materials in consideration of the weight and flexibility of the rod (carbon fishing rods are often used), because a quick tap is required. • The location and timing of the tapping sometimes vary according to the swimming style and the swimmer’s ability; the tapper therefore needs to devise a method suitable for each swimmer. • Personalized tapping is required because the location and strength of the tapping sometimes need to be considered in relation to the presence of eye disease or other conditions. |
| Related teaching materials and information | • Masato Teranishi, teacher at the Special Needs Education School for the Visually Impaired, University of Tsukuba: Swimming coaching for people with visual impairment: Use of swimming equipment (Tapping rods and the way to use them), Chapter 4 (1), Booklet for Visually Impaired Education (The Earth Kyoikushinsha Co., Ltd) Vol. 7 |
| Useful for other students |
- Informant Special Needs Education School for the Visually Impaired, University of Tsukuba
- Keywords Physical education, swimming, safety
- Created 2017-03-02 14:49:33
- Updated 2020-06-08 14:24:58