[Blindmath] Interpretation of graphs (was Mathematics using handwriting)

Wed Jan 21 21:39:08 UTC 2015

Hi,

There have been a number of attempts to produce verbal descriptions of graphs created by software instead of humans. I'm doing some work in this area for simple statistical graphs using R. Other attempts include graphs produced by central statistics agencies (notably in Canada and the US), interpretation of schematic diagrams in computer science, directed graphs in discrete mathematics… etc.

One major problem with assessment and the interpretation of graphics is that the human assistant must tip-toe around providing the information needed so that the blind examinee can do the interpretation themselves. In my view, this is possible with software. Have a look at the following content that is generated automatically, then see if you can decide what salient features might be questioned in an examination context. Can you judge the symmetry of the data? Any unusual observations? In the standard html page this text is extracted from, the graphs are placed between the headings and the text that follows. They aren’t’ here but I’ll send them to anyone who is desperate for them off list.

<starts>
Histogram

This is a histogram, with the title: Histogram of Ozone
 Ozone is marked on the x-axis.
There are a total of 116 elements for this variable.
It has 9 bins with equal widths, starting at 0 and ending at 180 .
The mids and counts for the bins are:
mid = 10  count = 37
mid = 30  count = 34
mid = 50  count = 14
mid = 70  count = 15
mid = 90  count = 9
mid = 110  count = 4
mid = 130  count = 2
mid = 150  count = 0
mid = 170  count = 1

Boxplot

This graph has a boxplot printed horizontally
with the title: Boxplot of Ozone
Nothing is marked on the x-axis.
Nothing is marked on the y-axis.
This variable has 116 values.
An outlier is marked at: 135 168
The whiskers extend to 1 and 122 from the ends of the box,
which are at 18 and 63.5
The median, 31.5 is 30 % from the lower end of the box to the upper end.
The upper whisker is 3.44 times the length of the lower whisker.

<ends>

Note that this is an extract from a longer page of output that includes a number of numeric summaries as well. I’ve seen and used questions in exams where only the histogram or boxplot was provided though so that’s all that I’ve given here.

Any feedback is welcome. I actually like criticism as long as it's delivered in a mature manner. I don't mind if feedback comes to me via the list or personally.

Jonathan

-----Original Message-----
From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of joe walker via Blindmath
Sent: Thursday, 22 January 2015 9:43 a.m.
To: Shannon Pruitt; Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Mathematics using handwriting

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<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto: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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