Students

SPED8907 – Braille Foundations

2026 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Tanya Kysa
tanya.kysa@mq.edu.au
Contact via 0484913641
NextSense Institute
Tuesday - Friday 9.30am - 4pm
Course Director
Susan Silveira
susan.silveira@mq.edu.au
Contact via 0477202129
NextSense Institute
Tuesday - Thursday 8am - 4pm
Administration Coordinator
Celise Morrison
prof.exp@nextsense.org.au
Contact via 0405120463
NextSense Institute
Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm
Credit points Credit points
0
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit is intended to assess braille competency to ensure graduates are well equipped to meet the demands of specialist teaching in the blindness low vision field, or whilst working with people with sensory disability.

To satisfy requirements of this zero credit point unit of study, students must meet the required standard in braille set by, externally administered competency training and examinations, recognised by the Macquarie School of Education, and the NextSense Institute.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Demonstrates understanding of the six-dot braille cell that is used to form 64 distinct characters, including the alphabet, words, numerals, and a blank cell with zero dots.
  • ULO2: When translating print to braille and braille to print, demonstrates employment of the system of rules that allow precise interpretation of braille character sequences.
  • ULO3: Demonstrates competency in transcribing the letters of the alphabet and basic punctuation into uncontracted braille.
  • ULO4: Demonstrates graduate level competency in transcribing printed text into the approximately 200 UEB contractions used for frequently occurring words and letter combinations.
  • ULO5: Demonstrates graduate level competency in transcribing primary-level mathematical symbols into Unified English Braille, including numbers, fractions, and the symbols, signs and indicators for numeric mode operations, shape, print symbols, and omission rules.

General Assessment Information

Unified English Braille Literacy Module 2

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours Due: 11.55pm 15th November 2026 Weighting: 30%

 

Completion of externally offered online  course Unified English Braille literacy module 2.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Demonstrates competency in transcribing the letters of the alphabet and basic punctuation into uncontracted braille.
  • Demonstrates graduate level competency in transcribing printed text into the approximately 200 UEB contractions used for frequently occurring words and letter combinations.

 

Unified English Braille Literacy Module 1

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours Due: 11.55pm 15th November 2026 Weighting: 30%

 

Completion of externally offered online  course Unified English Braille literacy module 1.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Demonstrates understanding of the six-dot braille cell that is used to form 64 distinct characters, including the alphabet, words, numerals, and a blank cell with zero dots.
  • When translating print to braille and braille to print, demonstrates employment of the system of rules that allow precise interpretation of braille character sequences.

 

Unified English Braille Introductory Mathematics

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours Due: 11.55pm 15th November 2026 Weighting: 40%

 

Completion of externally offered online course Unified English Braille Introductory Mathematics.

On successful completion you will be able to:

  • Demonstrates graduate level competency in transcribing primary-level mathematical symbols into Unified English Braille, including numbers, fractions, and the symbols, signs and indicators for numeric mode operations, shape, print symbols, and omission rules.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Unified English Braille Literacy Module 1 30% No 15/11/2026 Individual Yes Open
Unified English Braille Literacy Module 2 30% No 15/11/2026 Individual Yes Open
Unified English Braille Introductory Mathematics 40% No 15/11/2026 Individual Yes Open

Unified English Braille Literacy Module 1

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: 15/11/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Completion of externally offered online  course Unified English Braille literacy module 1.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrates understanding of the six-dot braille cell that is used to form 64 distinct characters, including the alphabet, words, numerals, and a blank cell with zero dots.
  • When translating print to braille and braille to print, demonstrates employment of the system of rules that allow precise interpretation of braille character sequences.

Unified English Braille Literacy Module 2

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: 15/11/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Completion of externally offered online  course Unified English Braille literacy module 2.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrates competency in transcribing the letters of the alphabet and basic punctuation into uncontracted braille.
  • Demonstrates graduate level competency in transcribing printed text into the approximately 200 UEB contractions used for frequently occurring words and letter combinations.

Unified English Braille Introductory Mathematics

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: 15/11/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Completion of externally offered online course Unified English Braille Introductory Mathematics.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrates graduate level competency in transcribing primary-level mathematical symbols into Unified English Braille, including numbers, fractions, and the symbols, signs and indicators for numeric mode operations, shape, print symbols, and omission rules.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Students are expected to register into Unified English Braille (UEB) modules themselves via the UEB Online website.

Information about the iLearn site

This unit has a full web presence through iLearn. All requirements for this unit begin Session 2  Week 1, 2026. Students are expected to access the iLearn site and engage with unit materials regularly during session 2. 

Electronic Communication

It is the student’s responsibility to check all electronic communication on a regular weekly basis.  Communication may occur via:

  • Official MQ Student Email Address
  • The Dialogue function on iLearn
  • Other iLearn communication functions

Support resources

Macquarie University has a range of services for students. If you are struggling with any aspect of academic life or career trajectory and skills, please refer to the comprehensive list of support services here.

Access and technical assistance

Information for students about access to the online component of this unit is available at https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/systems/ilearn . You will need to enter your student username and password.

Please do NOT contact the Unit Convenor regarding iLearn technical help. Assistance is available from IT Helpdesk ph: 02 98504357 and 1800 67 4357 or log a request at onehelp@mq.edu.au. OneHelp is the online IT support service for both students and staff.

This unit requires students to use several ICT and software skills:

  • Internet access: The iLearn site contains materials for this unit; it is also required for the online submission of all assessment tasks, and for the use of Turnitin submission for ALL tasks. 
  • Word processing, visual representations, and document formatting: You are required to use an appropriate form of software to present your assignments.
  • Uploading of assessment tasks to iLearn.

Unit Schedule

For the Master of Disability Studies, it is mandatory for students to demonstrate a foundational knowledge of Unified English Braille (UEB) prior to enrolling in their professional experience unit, SPED8910.

For the ‘Education: Blindness/Low Vision’ specialisation: SPED8907 Braille Foundations – a unit that requires students to demonstrate competency in Unified English Braille (UEB) literacy (modules 1 & 2) and introductory mathematics. It will not be possible to enrol in either SPED8923 or SPED8910 (professional placement unit) if this is not met. 

Please note there is a fee to purchase the completion certificate at the end of each module. Students are not required to complete the UEB competency exams for this unit.

Once all three UEB modules have been completed, students must upload their completion certificates to the SPED8907 iLearn site by the end of week 13.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2026.03 of the Handbook