[Blindmath] Mathematics using handwriting

Wed Jan 21 20:43:06 UTC 2015

I still wonder though how it is on a computer or mobile device, would
it be possible to interpret graphical data without having to resort
entirely to having to ask someone to attempt a visual description. I
have determined from experience, that even asking a reader to describe
what he or she sees on a graph, in order to answer a quiz or exam
question, is very difficult since he or she may incorrectly describe
the appearance of the visual aid. This has actually resulted in blind
and visually impaired students giving incorrect answers based on
unknowingly false information. Since such errors have been known to
exist even in simple algebra, leads me to question whether we have a
universally accepted system for allowing blind students to comprehend
graphical information, such as wavefunctions, derivatives and
integrals, and frequency data involving peaks and troths, just to name
a few examples. Given that the vast majority of science and math test
questions require the examination of a visual aid, I would love to
hear your feedback on this issue.

Joe

On 1/21/15, Shannon Pruitt via Blindmath <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I apologize as I slightly misread the original email and you are correct
> MathPad is not accessible. However that doesn't altogether mean it wouldn't
> be useful.
>
> I think you have a couple of options. I would suggest talking to your
> teacher as he/she probably knows either latex or MathML if not both. They
> could pre or post type the notes for you and send them to you. Also maybe
> the department has a TA that could do this.
>
> Another option would be to consult your disabilities office and get a person
> to take notes for you. In this case I'm positive they won't know latex or
> MathML but something like this app might help them create it or get it to
> you in a pinch.
>
> Sorry about the confusion. Shannon
>
>> On Jan 21, 2015, at 11:57 AM, Hajas Dániel <d.hajas.lists at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> The MathType way of doing it seems a bit too much of procedure if you just
>> want to play around with few line of equations and not even use it later
>> on. Just a quick sketch of math to remind yourself.
>>
>> Shannon: The iOS app sounded nice and I downloaded but can't use it for
>> anything. All the buttons are dimmed and Voice Over does not seem to
>> recognise any edit field. Have you used it? How can I make it work with
>> VoiceOver?
>>
>> The features sound nice and even the LaTeX output might come handy every
>> now and then.
>>
>> Daniel
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On 21 Jan 2015, at 16:38, Shannon Pruitt <sdpruitt99 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> There's an iOS app called MathPad that will allow one to write math
>>> symbols. It then digitizes it and you can get latex or MathML output that
>>> could then be read by math player (I think).
>>>
>>> Shannon
>>>
>>>> On Jan 21, 2015, at 9:06 AM, Theodor Loots via Blindmath
>>>> <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I know that MathType (from Design Science) supports input using the
>>>> hand-written interface of Windows 7 and 8.  If your equations are
>>>> recognised, you can easily use the Toggle TeX functionality of MathType
>>>> to
>>>> view the equation in LaTeX, or export the entire document as a webpage,
>>>> where the formulae can be read using the MathPlayer plugin.
>>>> Alternatively,
>>>> the recognised formulae can be read using LEAN, or the entire document
>>>> may
>>>> be exported to some appropriate Braille translation software (which can
>>>> handle MathType equations).
>>>>
>>>> Best,
>>>> t
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Hajas
>>>> Dániel via Blindmath
>>>> Sent: 21 January 2015 03:11 PM
>>>> To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'
>>>> Subject: [Blindmath] Mathematics using handwriting
>>>>
>>>> Hi all,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Today our lecturer in quantum mechanics used a software that allowed her
>>>> to
>>>> use a pen and write on a screen, which then was projected on a board, so
>>>> students can take notes at the lecture. This is like a digital
>>>> blackboard
>>>> except that people have to write on a computer screen.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I was wondering if something similar existed for applications with
>>>> screen
>>>> readers? A software for PC, an app for tablets or smartphones, or other
>>>> alternative solution.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The point would be to enable handwritten input of mainly mathematical
>>>> symbols that can be read by a screen reader while writing character by
>>>> character and afterward while browsing through lines.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I imagine something like the handwriting option in iOS. I often use that
>>>> function for writing shorter texts even if it is not the fastest and
>>>> most
>>>> reliable way of writing, simply because I find handwriting a some form
>>>> of
>>>> art. Also when I get fed up with pressing the keyboard I use a notepad
>>>> to
>>>> write down my equations and derive what I need. Obviously there is no
>>>> feedback, I can't read it back after, but it helps me in following a
>>>> mental
>>>> process.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> So I would be pleased to see a solution which enables me to use
>>>> handwritten
>>>> maths and I could even read back what I wrote. Editing wouldn't be
>>>> esential
>>>> at the beginning.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I even guess the iOS feature could be turned into an app of what I just
>>>> described above.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Do you know of anything along these lines?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Best wishes,
>>>>
>>>> Daniel
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
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>
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