Author: Suwanit Wutsang
Affiliation: National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT)
Country: Thailand
Co-Author(s): Boonrucksar Soonthornthum
Affiliation: National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT)
Country: Thailand
Sulisa Chariyalertsak
Affiliation: National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT)
Country: Thailand
Supaluk Keukool
Affiliation: Matthayomprarajchatannayao School
Country: Thailand
Kittichai Jarernmerng
Affiliation: Matthayomprarajchatannayao School
Country: Thailand
Title: Development for the of astronomical media for the visually impaired in Thailand
Astronomical learning media in Thailand are mainly designed for normal person, thus cannot be used with visually impaired individuals, this leads to the lack of opportunity in learning astronomy among this specific group of people. Hence, National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), with its aim of increasing equality in learning astronomy in Thailand, has designed, developed, and tested the materials for them in order to increase their understanding in astronomy. In doing so, NARIT collaborated with Matthayomprarajchatannayao School in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand, to develop the material created in 2017, which is a “Bas Relief Sculpture”. NARIT together with the school created the sculpture made of clay, which is easy to find in Thailand, by sculpting the clay in each-star shapes. The sculptures indicated size of the solar system comparing with the planets, the distances, and their orders, with the same scale with the real solar system. This method can also be used with several constellations or zodiacs. In this case, apart from the size, order, and distance, we set the size value from 14 millimeters to 2 millimeters to refer to the brightness level of each star with the scales of -1 to 6, for example, the brightness-level-0 star has the size of 12 millimeters, the brightness-level-1 star has the size of 10 millimeters. The model was tested by allowing our target group to touch the model then they can imagine how the solar system and each constellation look like, estimate the size, order, distance, and brightness of them. The result of this very first phase was positive, the target group gained more understanding in basic astronomy. This model has now been being used to teach students and also instructors in some schools. And NARIT has been trying to develop this media to increase its efficiency in conveying astronomical knowledge to visually impaired individuals.
References
[1]: Sumrarnpit, R.& Rachavijit, J. (2016). กรณีศึกษาสภาพปัญหาและความต้องการเกี่ยวกับการผลิตและการใช้สื่อการเรียนรู้ในโรงเรียนการศึกษาคนตาบอด จังหวัดขอนแก่น [The study of problems and demands of the learning media in Khon Kaen School for the Blind]. Faculty of Education Journal, Graduate research edition. Khon Kaen University
[2]: Punyawuttikrai, N. ( 2019). โลกของคนตาบอด [The World of Blinded]. Retrieved from http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/home/detail/life-style/society
[3]: Department of Curriculum and Instruction Development, Ministry of Education. 2001. Basic education curriculum 2001. Bangkok. Express Transportation Organization of Thailand