[Blindmath] Blindmath Digest, Vol 67, Issue 2

Fri Feb 3 15:22:39 UTC 2012

I agree. Michael. I also find, if it can be afforded, that the braille note-takers is a boon for the blind...the keys are light and easily respond to touch. It also allows for 'sticky keys so if one hand is weak, the other can be used for two-handed entries

Maureen Murphy Lewicki
Maureen Murphy Lewicki
Teacher of Visually Impaired
Bethlehem Central Schools
(518)439-7681
"When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another." Helen Keller 

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Whapples
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 9:22 AM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Blindmath Digest, Vol 67, Issue 2

Why should someone not be allowed to skip large amounts of home work just because they are blind? The answer is that being blind is not the reason why it is a problem.

Using what you said about writing Braille, well the issue there is the perkins Brailler is physically tiring to use for long periods of time not the fact you are blind. There may be alternative ways which may be acceptable to provide work, ways which may be less tiring. As an example for most exams I have dictated to a scribe for what should be written on the exam paper, but I also had a Braille copy of the exam paper for reading and a perkins Brailler for writing notes I needed for working out.

Michael Whapples

-----Original Message-----
From: Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 1:50 PM
To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Blindmath Digest, Vol 67, Issue 2

With reference to the skipping large amounts of homework "just because they are blind" what is your solution if the use of the Braille writer is literally exhausting and painful?
This is my issue. I read and write Braille well. I just cannot write using the manual Perkins for very long periods without it causing me pain and without wearing me out.
I find the way you phrased this a little offensive, because it presumes that people who are blind are looking for ways to skip the homework.  I don't think that's true.  I do think that circumstances related to the tools you use due to your blindness can impact the need to shorten assignments to a level that meets the needs of both student and instructor.

It's like saying "You shouldn't be allowed to take a large chunk of time off work just because you're a woman"  only to realize that women who have babies do generally take a large chunk of time off work when the baby is born, and nobody bats an eye.

So, can you explain your statement and provide tools to meet your need? Note "Toughen up you blind wimp" is not the right answer, because you wouldn't tell a sighted student to use a device that takes far more muscle strength and indurance then most of us are accustomed to using. -----Original
Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Maylene Bird
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 6:42 AM
To: blindmath at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Blindmath Digest, Vol 67, Issue 2

Dear Ruchi,
You might want to get the APH Math Builders Unit 6 kit.  It has all kinds of hands-on items.  I would also suggest getting the APH Graphic Aid for Mathematics soon if you don't have one.  You will need it when he starts to learn how to do anything on a graph.  Another APH item for drawing is the APH Draftsman Tactile Drawing Board.  The last thing I will say is to make sure he learns his Nemeth code.  I teach high school math at the TX School for the Blind, and the students who really learned their Nemeth well and were exposed to lots of hands-on tools are my top students.  They should not be allowed to skip large sections of homework either just because they are blind.

Good luck!  Our Website for TSBVI has a lot of tools listed under Susan Osterhaus' math section.

Sincerely,
Maylene Bird

On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 12:00 PM, <blindmath-request at nfbnet.org> wrote:

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> Today's Topics:
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>   1. Re: Arithmetic and Geometry tools for kids (Gaylen Kapperman)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:02:48 -0600
> From: Gaylen Kapperman <gkapperman at niu.edu>
> To: ruchi_patil at samruddha.net,  Blind Math list for those interested in
>        mathematics <blindmath at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Arithmetic and Geometry tools for kids
> Message-ID: <201202011802.q11I2s9B016782 at essmail.ess.niu.edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>
> Dear Ruchi
>
>
>
> My colleagues and I have written a text on teaching math to blind 
> youngsters. We have posted  it on the Texas School site at 
> www.tsbvi.edu Go there and search for project math access or search 
> for Gaylen Kapperman and you can find lots of suggestions of all 
> types.
> Good luck.
> Gaylen Kapperman
>
> At 11:17 AM 2/1/2012, you wrote:
> >Dear All,
> >
> >
> >
> >I am a mother of a 8 year old blind child. My son uses Vp Arithmetic 
> >from Henter math for Math at school and Marvel Math from marvelsoft 
> >for mental math polishing at school.
> >
> >
> >
> >He would be going to grade 3 now and while adapting his school 
> >textbook I realized that Vp Arithmetic may not be sufficient any 
> >longer for the following reasons:
> >
> >1.       There are word problems, for which he will have to make the
> problem
> >and the workspace and then solve it.
> >
> >2.       Problems now involve addition and subtraction both which again 
> >is
> >not possible.
> >
> >
> >
> >Eagerly waiting to hear some suggestions from you.
> >
> >
> >
> >Warm regards,
> >
> >Ruchi
> >
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> End of Blindmath Digest, Vol 67, Issue 2
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