[Blindmath] Regarding Maths examinations

[Sean Tikkun]

Some of the more challenging elements of Geometry involve relative position and the concept of angle. An angle defines a distance, but that distance is not tactual if you no not place an arc labeling the space.  An arc is a curved line extending between the two rays defining the angle.  Questions may also require a student to identify complimentary or supplementary angles based purely on the picture.

I'm not sure the form of your textbooks, but American books at the secondary level are going more towards algebra and abandoning proof based logic.  If properly prepared proof based logic problems, while challenging, could be made accessible.  The algebraic trend combined with computer based tests promises to be a growing dilemma without tactile diagrams to supplement the screen questions.  

Some requests you may make:
1. All diagrams must be provided as tactile diagrams transcribed with braille and including arc markings to identify relevant angles to the problem.
2. Any question involving information to be extracted from the diagram and involving relative position of geometric constructs must be reported as a 'given' for the problem. (this may include transversals of parallel lines, vertical angles, supplementary angles, complimentary angles as examples)
3. Additional time is necessary, as tactile discrimination of diagrams is more time consuming and cognitively constructing diagrams from parts to a whole is a more challenging exercise than visually glancing at a picture.

The third one I don't have research proof of, but hope to in a couple years.  1 & 2 I believe are commonly held best practices.  I welcome any comment or criticism as I've seen some more prominent minds than mind weigh in lately.

-Sean Tikkun


On Oct 6, 2013, at 9:26 AM, raju singh <bidhwin at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello boss, even I don't know how one blind can tackle those geometry
> problem on computer, but for me, in computer, it is not possible. In
> geometry I use my Braille drawing kids to draw the things on the paper or my
> teacher draws for me and understand. As I am computer science student, I
> even prepare my circuit board using Braille. But any ways, I believe there
> is also the drawing kids by using you can draw and solve any geometry
> problem On computer. If I was not wrong, I was talking about svg draw. But
> unfortunately I couldn't understand any thing regarding svg draw, hopefully
> you'll understand and also share your knowledge to me. For me, Braille kids
> are playing very important role for me. And for graph purposes, you can use
> math tracks. Fortunately I can use mathtracks and
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bhavya
> shah
> Sent: Sunday, October 06, 2013 7:29 PM
> To: Blindmath at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Blindmath] Regarding Maths examinations
> 
> A warm welcome to all the readers. I am currently a schoold goer and
> obviously have Maths exams. Geometry is the most difficult part of
> Maths which I find very time consuming to understand. Please help me
> regarding this matter and also I know that a blind student needs to
> make some requests for the Maths exam to be easier for him. Please
> advise me on this.
> With warm regards
> Bhavya.
> 
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