[Blindmath] To all you blind physics experts

[Louis Maher]

If possible, I read the class material before I got to class.  I know this
is another large time commitment.

I had some vision, and I used this reduced vision, along with the Learning
Ally book, to braille out my text book at four pages an hour.  I could only
learn from braille not sound.  If possible, get the book in Braille if not
at least electronically on a Braille display.  I know this is very
difficult.


Regards
Louis Maher
713-444-7838
ljmaher at swbell.net
http://www.nfbtx.org/localchapters/houston  


-----Original Message-----
From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Amanda Lacy
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2012 12:23 AM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: [Blindmath] To all you blind physics experts

There seem to be several of you on here, so I am hoping for some advice even
though this isn't exactly about math.

I am currently in general physics II and beginning to struggle. My physics
professor (Prof. Underwood) says that the units which will probably be the
hardest for me are electromagnetism (the one we're on now) and optics. I
have the book from Learning Ally and write down all the homework problems
and important equations on the computer. I've also started experimenting
with one of Prof. Baldwin's programs in order to emboss important diagrams
and follow along in class. I try to ask lots of questions during Prof.
Baldwin's office hours, in class, and in lab. I have a tactile drawing pad
and at least two people who give me pieces of there time and expertise when
they can, but still I am lost in class. The subject matter is so visual that
Prof. Underwood is often drawing and redrawing complex things on the board
as he lectures. Then I hear such tantalizing statements as, "learn this
right-hand rule," or "this very important concept explains how an electric
motor works." I hadn't followed whatever it was which led to such
statements. At the end of class, my unanswered questions are often more
numerous than they had been at the beginning. As a consequence of not
following lecture, some of my homework looks completely unfamiliar to me so
that I have no idea how to proceed. Prof. Underwood is talking about
building some 3D models for me. He is really doing the best he can and
sometimes seems unsure what to do with me. I don't always know what to do
with me either.

If any of you can describe strategies you used which did not rely on vision,
I would be grateful. I am genuinely curious about what I'm supposed to be
studying. If I can satisfy that curiosity, then the A will come on its own,
as it always does.


Thanks,
Amanda
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