[Blindmath] Making the University classroom more accessible
Goda Biekšaitė
goda.bieksaite at gmail.com
Tue Nov 10 11:34:56 UTC 2015
Hi Dan!
Thanks this is great! I wonder how we could use this further.... The
sensational blackboard also looks promising. I wonder if something similar
could be done with the classroom blackboards so that then the students
could feel what has been scribbled/drawn on the board during the class?
Cheers,
Goda
2015-11-06 15:38 GMT+00:00 Dan Burke via Blindmath <blindmath at nfbnet.org>:
> This is a plug for my friend Ann Cunningham's Sensational Draft Board.
> I started following this list some years ago when working as a tech
> coordinator in higher education Disability Services because I was
> looking for ways to figure out Math and other STEM subjects from all
> of you. I've been a personal fan of Ann's drawing board for personal
> and professional reasons.
>
> All I can say about the subject shown in this short video is that he
> hasn't used anything like these tools since high school geometry as a
> low vision teenager in 1972-3.
>
> Hope students and teachers find this useful.
>
> http://sensationalbooks.com/blog.html
>
> Best,
> Dan
> .
>
> On 11/6/15, Lewicki, Maureen via Blindmath <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > 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?
> >> >> _______________________________________________
> >> >> Blindmath mailing list
> >> >> Blindmath at nfbnet.org
> >> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
> >> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
> >> >> for
> >> >> Blindmath:
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/mlewicki%40bcsd
> >> .neric.org
> >> >> BlindMath Gems can be found at <
> >> >> http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
> >> >> _______________________________________________
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> >> >> Blindmath at nfbnet.org
> >> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
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> >> >> for
> >> >> Blindmath:
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/goda.bieksaite%
> >> 40gmail.com
> >> >> BlindMath Gems can be found at <
> >> >> http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
> >> > _______________________________________________
> >> > Blindmath mailing list
> >> > Blindmath at nfbnet.org
> >> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindmath_nfbnet.org
> >> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
> >> > for
> >> Blindmath:
> >> >
> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindmath_nfbnet.org/sabra1023%40gma
> >> il.com
> >> > BlindMath Gems can be found at <
> >> http://www.blindscience.org/blindmath-gems-home>
> >>
> > _______________________________________________
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> > _______________________________________________
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> > Blindmath:
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> >
>
>
> --
> Dan Burke
> My Cell: 406.546.8546
> Twitter: @DallDonal
>
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