[Blindmath] Field Testers Needed for a Science Product

[Li Zhou]

Dear all,

    This message was posted to the NFB Science and Engineering List
before but we still need more teachers to field test a new science
product named Light Reflection & Refraction. It is primarily designed
for middle and high school science students with blindness to
construct ray diagrams. Please have a look at the message below and
see if your braille students can participate. You might need to talk
to students' science teachers to find out whether the topics listed
below are going to be covered in this semester.

    Thank you for your help!

Li


Callout for Field Evaluators for the Light Reflection & Refraction Kit

Dear Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments:

    APH is seeking field evaluators for the Light Reflection &
Refraction Kit. This is a graphing tool designed for middle and high
school science students with blindness and low vision. The tool is
used to quickly construct ray diagrams related to many light concepts
and phenomena, including:

    reflection and the law of reflection
    diffuse reflection
    image formation by plane mirrors
    reflection by concave and convex mirrors
    refraction
    refractive index
    Snell's law of refraction
    total internal reflection
    apparent depth and real depth phenomenon
    light transmission through a convex lens and image formation by a
convex lens
    light transmission through a concave lens and image formation by a
concave lens

    The graphing tool allows students to construct ray diagrams by
placing pieces (e.g., arrows) onto a working board. With the use of
hook and loop materials, graphics created by this tool are easy to
manipulate, which adds more freedom in teaching and learning. Students
in inclusive settings can also use this tool to work together with
their sighted peers.

    Field testing will begin in September 2014 and extend to November
2014. Field evaluators will use a prototype with multiple students
with blindness and low vision and then complete and return a product
evaluation form at the end of the testing period. Because the number
of prototypes is limited, field test sites will be selected based upon
geographic location, number of available students, and type of
instructional setting.

    If you are interested in serving as a field evaluator, please
provide the following information:

1.  Your name, title, school/agency, and type of setting (e.g.,
residential, itinerant)

2.  Number of available students (with ages, grade levels, and primary
reading media indicated)

3.  Your preferred medium for reading evaluation materials. Please
also let us know if you have difficulty using MS Word, since we are
considering asking evaluators to fill out an evaluation form
electronically.

4.  Your complete contact information (phone number, mailing address,
and e-mail address)

    Please send this information to Li Zhou at lzhou at aph.org. Should
you have any questions, please contact Li Zhou at 800-223-1839, ext.
424. Thank you!