[Blindmath] Making the University classroom more accessible
Lewicki, Maureen
mlewicki at bcsd.neric.org
Fri Nov 6 14:05:50 UTC 2015
Goda. And All. I have read the 'of course' email again and again. Goda was not implying anything about the blind, but that he would of course find blind people to input suggestions. That is why he contacted this email list.
And I understand the difficulties associated with finding Blind students. The blind are not well represented in the field...yet...but it could happen!!
I also have experienced time and again, the angst that teachers and professors show when they have a blind person in their class. It is frustrating, narrow minded, etc. My students consistently blow their teachers away with their abilities, however, and if the teachers remain open minded, they discover that their own teacher has grown deeper, by thinking less about the visual aspects of their subject, and more about the underlying concepts.
I hope we can move forward for Goda's sake, and for all of us on the list. Goda, thank you for reaching out to this list. The blind researchers and students on the list are very adept in technology, and they can richly help you with their knowledge.
I will work this weekend on compiling what I use with my students.
Maureen Murphy Lewicki
Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Bethlehem Central School District
Bethlehem High School
700 Delaware Ave
Delmar, NY 12054
http://www.bethlehemschools.org
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. Helen Keller
-----Original Message-----
From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Goda Biekšaite via Blindmath
Sent: Friday, November 06, 2015 8:52 AM
To: Sabra Ewing
Cc: Goda Biekšaitė; Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Making the University classroom more accessible
Hello Sabra,
I'm sorry for the confusion. The "of course" was meant as me reassuring that we will definitely answer the questions asked. In regards of finding a visually impaired student, sadly, there are no visually impaired students studying Computer Science in our university and even then, the student must have specific prerequisites in order to take this module that this project is part of. However, I do understand that my wording was confusing and I apologise.
As a quick note, we have been actively seeking to contact visually impaired students within our University and outside of it as well, however out of all the STEM subjects within the university, there is only one visually impaired student studying Maths! And even then, when the Maths department heard about it they started freaking out, because they knew very little as to how to really support him. A lot of work has been put in to help that student and sort things out, but that's why we're doing this project. To minimise the difficulties that visually impaired students might have.
As for the technology you suggested, we are looking into the potential of using 3-D printers in our solution. It is something we will definitely expand on. Thank you so much for your help and feedback!
Cheers,
Goda
2015-11-05 20:40 GMT+00:00 Sabra Ewing <sabra1023 at gmail.com>:
> I really think you should have a blind student on your team. You say
> of course you don't have one as though you can't be expected to find
> one anywhere, but I bet one goes to your school, and that student may
> even be majoring in math or computer science I think you should work
> on a specific piece of technology that converts two dimensional
> objects including moving images into still or moving in
> three-dimensional images. You point the camera at the picture, and it
> robotic arms form the three-dimensional image out of clay or maybe the
> device can somehow fold into the image. Or if you could make a sheet
> portable 3-D printer, that would also be fine and you could scan the image in and it would printed out in three dimensions.
> However, the problem with 3-D printing now is that it is expensive and
> impractical to use.
>
> Sabra Ewing
>
> > On Nov 5, 2015, at 10:22 AM, Goda Biekšaitė via Blindmath <
> blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Maureen,
> >
> > Of course! None of us are visually impaired and therefore we really
> > want
> to
> > understand as much as we can.
> >
> > In regards of the the solutions and information that is already
> > there we have done quite a lot of research. As far as we have found,
> > visually impaired students use either tactile or audio oriented
> > solutions. In regards of text there's two choices - Braille or
> > screen readers. As far
> as
> > we have seen Braille readers are rather expensive and entire books
> > in Braille are rare and difficult to obtain And therefore most
> > people prefer screen readers. JAWS, NVDA etc. More technologies we
> > have looked into is using sound and music to represent graphs and
> > geometric objects,
> distances
> > and sizes, haptic feedback (like haptic mouse), magnifiers, sonic
> > based haptic representation of 3d objects (although a great idea
> > it's currently still in development), talking tactile tablet, raised
> > paper, the
> chemistry
> > diagram translation into audible description. We also looked into
> possibly
> > using 3D printing to explain 3D objects.
> >
> > I'm sure I missed a few of them but we tried to find as much
> > information
> as
> > we can. But we're not trying to create a new piece of technology as
> > we
> know
> > that shifting from one piece of the tech that you are already using
> > to a complete new one can be difficult. But maybe we incorporate
> > different
> bits
> > from different tech together? Or make something that is currently
> > not accessible with current tech that is used - accessible...
> > Except we
> don't
> > know what people actually use. Finances, accessibility and
> > situations are different for all...
> >
> > Also thank you so much for such a rapid response! Really does mean a lot!
> >
> > Kind regards,
> > Goda
> > MSci Computer Science
> > 3d Year Student
> > University of Birmingham
> > 2015 lapkr. 5 15:38 "Lewicki, Maureen via Blindmath" <
> blindmath at nfbnet.org>
> > rašė:
> >
> >> Before I answer this survey I would be interested to know if there
> >> are
> any
> >> blind and visually impaired students on the team? How familiar are
> >> you
> with
> >> what is already out there for the students to use? I often see
> >> research
> and
> >> development on the University level which develops things that are
> already
> >> out there. thanks
> >>
> >> Maureen Murphy Lewicki
> >> Teacher of the Visually Impaired
> >> Bethlehem Central School District
> >> Bethlehem High School
> >> 700 Delaware Ave
> >> Delmar, NY 12054
> >> http://www.bethlehemschools.org
> >> Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through
> >> experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened,
> >> ambition inspired,
> and
> >> success achieved. Helen Keller
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> >> Goda Biekšaite via Blindmath
> >> Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 10:23 AM
> >> To: blindmath at nfbnet.org
> >> Cc: Goda Biekšaitė; Lily Elshaktori; Priyanka Mohata; Gareth
> >> Humphries; Poppie Simmonds
> >> Subject: [Blindmath] Making the University classroom more
> >> accessible
> >>
> >> Hello all,
> >>
> >>
> >> We are 3rd year Computer Science students at the University of
> Birmingham.
> >> As part of our course, we are studying a module called Software
> >> Design Study, in which we research and design a solution to an
> >> existing real
> life
> >> problem. Our team is looking into further aiding visually impaired
> students
> >> in a classroom setting.
> >>
> >> We are in the early stages of our research and would like to speak
> >> with
> as
> >> many visually impaired students, teachers of the visually impaired
> >> or anyone else who works in this area.We would like to get a better
> >> understanding of learning and teaching techniques used, problems
> >> faced
> and
> >> areas for improvement.
> >>
> >>
> >> We have made a questionnaire and it would help us greatly if you
> >> could answer some or all of the questions, and if there is anything
> >> that you would like to add, or even if you would just want to share
> >> your
> experience
> >> - we would really appreciate it.
> >>
> >>
> >> We can't wait to hear from you,
> >>
> >> Goda
> >>
> >>
> >> Questions:
> >>
> >>
> >> If you’re a student:
> >>
> >> -
> >>
> >> What software are you using in the classroom currently?
> >> -
> >>
> >> How accessible is it?
> >> -
> >>
> >> How easy to master is it?
> >> -
> >>
> >> On average, how much time do you spend using the assistive software
> >> in the classroom?
> >> -
> >>
> >> Did you go to a school or university for visually impaired?
> >> -
> >>
> >> IF YES:
> >> -
> >>
> >> What techniques did they use to teach mathematics?
> >> -
> >>
> >> How did they explain the different geometrical objects? Both 3d
> >> and 2d.
> >> -
> >>
> >> How did they explain graphs and visual representations of
> >> formulae?
> >> -
> >>
> >> What techniques are used to draw and represent graphs?
> >> -
> >>
> >> IF NO:
> >> -
> >>
> >> What techniques did the teachers use to integrate visually
> >> impaired into the classroom?
> >> -
> >>
> >> Did the teachers write and explain things on the board, if
> >> so
> how
> >> did they accommodate you?
> >> -
> >>
> >> Did you have anyone or use any special technology to assist
> >> you
> in
> >> the classroom?
> >> -
> >>
> >> Was there anything that you think you missed out in the
> >> lectures/lessons?
> >> -
> >>
> >> If you could change one thing about how the lectures are going at the
> >> moment and the support that you get - what would it be?
> >> -
> >>
> >> What would be a perfect piece of technology for you (regardless
> >> of
> what
> >> has been created already. Please. Go wild)
> >>
> >>
> >> If you’re a teacher:
> >>
> >> -
> >>
> >> What techniques have you used to better accommodate the visually
> >> impaired students?
> >> -
> >>
> >> What difficulties have you noticed that visually impaired students
> >> encounter?
> >> -
> >>
> >> What subjects and areas do the students struggle the most?
> >> -
> >>
> >> What support systems/technologies do you use in your classroom or for
> >> preparation for the classes?
> >> -
> >>
> >> What additional preparation do you make to cater for visually impaired
> >> students in the classroom?
> >> -
> >>
> >> How familiar are you with the assistive technologies that the students
> >> might use?
> >> -
> >>
> >> How did you explain (if you ever had to) graphs, geometric forms,
> >> 3d
> and
> >> 2d objects, trajectories and distances?
> >> -
> >>
> >> What support do you get from your University or School/College?
> >> _______________________________________________
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