Students from the Mathematics Education Program, a class of Inclusive Mathematics Education for the 2021 cohort, conducted a school visit to SLBN Surakarta. This activity took place on November 7, 2023, at SLBN Surakarta (Solo). A total of 47 students were accompanied by 2 professors from the Inclusive Mathematics Education course, Dr. Sugiman, B.Sc., and Dr. Emi Pujiastuti, M.Pd.
The visit to an SLB or orientation at an SLB school is one of the learning activities in the Inclusive Mathematics Education course. This activity aims to introduce students directly to and observe firsthand at Special Needs Schools (SLB) for students taking the Inclusive Mathematics Education course. Through this activity, it is hoped that students will gain confidence and have a firsthand learning experience with SLB students, as well as direct observation of SLB environments.
The visit of Mathematics Education students to SLBN Surakarta was welcomed with a Percussion Music Performance by deaf students and teachers at SLB Negeri Surakarta. At SLBN Surakarta, there are educational levels for elementary, junior high, high school, and vocational education, each with students facing 5 types of disabilities: visual impairment, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, physical disability, and autism. To make the visit more effective, students were divided into 10 groups, and each group conducted observations and interviews according to the grade level and the students’ disabilities.
The SLB visit activity was also carried out by students from other Mathematics Education classes, with one group visiting SLBN Semarang and another group visiting SLBN Ungaran.
In addition to getting closer to SLB students, the students also introduced and demonstrated the use of various mathematical teaching aids in front of students with disabilities.
The results of the SLB visit were beneficial for students in increasing their confidence in teaching children with special needs (ABK), directly observing the characteristics and traits of ABK. For disabled or ABK students, the visit of university students to SLB can enhance their knowledge, skills, and self-confidence. For the schools, the visit to SLB is an implementation of the cooperation agreement signed by the Dean of FMIPA UNNES with the School Principal.
