[Blindmath] Help with Algebra 1 student requested

[Richard Baldwin]

Not being blind, and never having taught a student at this level, I have no
credibility to comment on this topic. As is often the case, however, I
won't let that stop me.

I want to comment on the posting by Joseph Lee. If you decide to take that
route, (which I think is a good one) I recommend going all the way and
learning the syntax of a simple programming language such as JavaScript.
Using such a syntax will almost guarantee against ambiguity.

Also, it will help the student to learn to think logically and make it
possible for the student to check his or her work using a JavaScript script
or the Google calculator.

Dick Baldwin

On Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 11:10 AM, Joseph Lee <joseph.lee22590 at gmail.com>wrote:

> Hi,
> I think using Notepad or simple text editor
> would be the best way to go.  And for equations involving this kind of
> operation (like moving one variable to other side), I recommend that he try
> parentheses around it like this:
> -3x+2y = 12
> (-3x+3x)+2y = 3x+12
> (2y/2) = (3x+12)/2
> So in effect, by using parentheses, he'd know which is dividing which.
>  This gets really useful when we go into systems of equations, as it allows
> visual (and tactile) view at which variables are being substituted for
> which and other things.
> Cheers,
> Joseph
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Julian, Kate" <KJulian at bluevalleyk12.org
> To: "blindmath at nfbnet.org" <blindmath at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 09:09:14 -0600
> Subject: [Blindmath] Help with Algebra 1 student requested
>
> Hi,
>
> I am supporting a student in Algebra 1.  We are getting into more
> complicated equations and he is getting lost.  He prefers to use his vision
> and the computer for math, we have tried using his BrailleNote and Nemeth
> code, but he prefers the computer.  The following is how he would complete
> setting an equation to y:
>
> -3x + 2y = 12
> -3x + 3x + 2y = 12 + 3x
>
> After this step, he gets mixed up and when assisted will write this:
>
> 2y = 12 + 3x
> 2y/2 = 12/2 + 3x/2
>
> Here he will often drop negatives and/or forget a term.  For me, I too
> would get lost.
>
> Is there another way for him complete this work? He actually does the work
> in MathType and then pastes his work into a Word document.  We have tried
> using Math Window, but that too is tedious and he may not take it home.  He
> is unable to handwrite anything.  We have tried having him use a screen
> reader, as he often relies on his memory and makes mistakes, but the screen
> reader does not work well with MathType.
>
> Help, we are about to go into solving equations with variables on both
> sides of the equal sign and systems.
>
> Thanks - Kate
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Richard G. Baldwin (Dick Baldwin)
Home of Baldwin's on-line Java Tutorials
http://www.DickBaldwin.com

Professor of Computer Information Technology
Austin Community College
(512) 223-4758
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