[blindkid] Math technology

[Mike Freeman]

I'd try to ascertain (a) who her algebra teacher will be next year and then 
talk to him/her about the problem, emphasizing that you will assist with 
drawing of raised-line graphs and perhaps showing him a Sewell raised-line 
drawing kit to show how impromptu graphs can be made and (b) get a copy of 
the book to see how much it relies on whizbang technology as opposed to 
good, old-fashioned reasoning skills. Bear in mind that I am a strong 
advocate of writing out math problems on a brailewriter.

If a graphing calculator proves absolutely necessary, I'd go with one that 
can produce graphs on a Tiger embosser although for the life of me, how any 
parent can afford one or, for that matter, how a school district can 
successfully use one when it probably hasn't got anyone with the requisite 
skills is beyond me.

But one should always approach the problem from the standpoint that it's 
solvable, because it is. I hope that Steve Jacobson chimes in on this one 
also.

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)'" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 10, 2010 5:32 AM
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Math technology


so, Michael what suggestions do you have for her daughter as she works to
maintain her grade average and commitment to academic enrichment?

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."


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-----Original Message-----
From: blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindkid-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mike Freeman
Sent: Friday, April 09, 2010 11:07 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Math technology

Pat:

I'm sure many will disagree with me here but I could never fathom how audio
could accurately convey graphics to the blind. In my book, graphs are only
crutches to illustrate abstract concepts and math teachers are only as good
as they can deal with the abstractions without needing to "picture"
everything.

Mike Freman, B.A. and M.S. in physics

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pat Renfranz" <dblair2525 at msn.com>
To: "blindkid" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, April 09, 2010 2:36 PM
Subject: [blindkid] Math technology


My daughter will be taking Algebra II next year in 9th grade. She uses
Braille/Nemeth texts with tactile graphics. She's gotten by just fine with
relatively low-tech math tools.

We are wondering if it would be useful for her to start using an accessible
graphing calculator. Does anyone have any practical advice on using one of
these programs? I am looking into the Audio Graphing Calculator from
ViewPlus and Math Trax from NASA. They both produce an audio signal
representing the shape of the function, while the AGC has the advantage of
being able to produce tactile graphs on a Tiger embosser. Maybe there are
other products available? Our school district has no experience with any of
them. Does anyone¹s teenager think this software is worth learning?

We are a little nervous about this, because our experience has been that,
math is great because you can pretty much always count on a Brailler, paper,
and sticky dots from the hardware store to NOT fail and to NOT require
specialized training that gets in the way of actually learning the
material...

Thanks in advance for any help.
Pat
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