[Blindmath] Help with Algebra 1 student requested

Tue Feb 7 19:27:44 UTC 2012

Like Neil, I'm a little hesitant to jump in with a couple of other
possibilities. I would probably still recommend that he use Nemeth Code on a
braillewriter for all the reasons others have given. However, since you were
requesting another way to do Algebra I with a computer using his vision,
I'll suggest:

(1) Scientific Notebook (from Mackichan Software), which allows
self-enlarging up to 400% of whatever original font and size you select
(font size up to 72 - if he needs this size he should REALLY be using
braille). It is a math/word processor. You start out typing text in black,
and when you want to change to math, you simply do a Ctrl-M or mouse click
the proper icon, and math is in red. (You can change these colors to
whatever you prefer; these are the default settings.) If the math is not on
the keyboard, you use one of the math toolbars and easily insert what you
need (fraction, square root, etc. symbols) by clicking on the icon or using
a hot key. Scientific Notebook is too powerful to be allowed on our state
standardized tests, but I have used it for certain low vision students who
had dysgraphia, poor handwriting, and/or dyslexia so that they could write
their algebra or geometry, etc. homework. The student and teacher can read
the work, as the on-line and printed document is a .tex document, and is of
text-book quality. The reason that SNB is too powerful for tests is that it
is also a scientific graphing calculator powered by a computer algebra
system. However, SNB is not accessible for a blind person without using a
voice recognition software program called MathTalk. I only recommend
MathTalk in addition to SNB for just the right student. A former student of
mine wrote his master's thesis using it, and another young lady in New York
uses it because she is blind and does not have the use of her hands.
Download a 30 day free trial at:
http://www.mackichan.com/licensing.net/dnloadreq.aspx 

(2) Virtual Pencil Algebra (VP Algebra) is available from HenterMath. Read
all about it at http://www.hentermath.com/  You will need a screen reader to
provide the speech or Braille output. VP Algebra will only work with Jaws
currently, versions 4.5 and newer. You did not mention what screen reader
your student uses. This software provides large print and voice output and
will read back everything you type into it. Try a trial version before
purchasing. The website has not been updated for quite some time, and I
worry about tech support, so be sure and speak with someone before making a
purchase.

Susan

-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Neil Soiffer
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 11:56 AM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Help with Algebra 1 student requested

I'm a bit hesitant to mention the following, but fools rush in where angels
fear to tread...

First off, I'll warn away those with no usable sight -- I don't think the
following will work for you.

Second off, there are those who feel it is important that students be able
to deal with the mechanics and details of math in addition to the concepts
of math.  Again, I don't think my suggested solution is for you.

Third off, I haven't used the program in ages (it makes me feel old just to
think about how long it has been), so it may have morphed into something
different than what I used when the person who wrote it first came out with
it (it has been bought and sold by two different companies since then).

If I haven't dissuaded you yet, then you might want to consider a program
called LiveMath (livemath.com).  A "quick tour" can be found
http://www.livemath.com/lmmaker/quicktour.php.  The second and third slide
are what I was thinking about.  The program is a "computer algebra" system
that acts a bit like doing the problem on paper.  In the case of algebra,
you'd type in the equation, grab some term and drag it to the other side.
The system rewrites the equation, handles the details of
adding/substracting/multiplying/dividing (depending on what you dragged).
You tell it to simplify or calculate when you feel it should.  Basically,
you direct it, and it deals with the details.  So, if you want the student
to learn the concepts of algebra but aren't concerned that they practice
arithmetic, this might be what you are looking for.

I can almost feel the rush of people starting to type to argue that this is
horrible or great (especially if it were made accessible), so I think I'll
duck out now ;-)

Neil Soiffer
Senior Scientist
Design Science, Inc.
www.dessci.com
~ Makers of MathType, MathFlow, MathPlayer, MathDaisy, Equation Editor ~

On Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 7:09 AM, Julian, Kate
<KJulian at bluevalleyk12.org>wrote:

> 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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