[Blindmath] how did your TVIs assist you?

Mon Nov 30 18:21:54 UTC 2015

Hello Bente and all,

I think my comment is entirely appropriate, or at least as appropriate as the original posting for this list. I welcome Maureen's questions and wish others were as committed as she demonstrates through this list (frequently).

I know that there are many wonderful professionals that do think beyond their students' immediate needs. I think there are many wonderful professionals that take greater care to understand the best practices they can for the best outcomes for their students; many of these people demonstrate this commitment by joining lists such as this one. I also know of professionals in the high school system that are overwhelmed by their workloads and are somewhat forced into taking the fastest and easiest route to get a student through the high school system successfully. Someone has to help high school students transfer successfully into university students. In my opinion the people in the best position to help smooth this transition are the TVI's (N.B. US terminology)

While I am sure there are differences in the systems run in the US and the numerous other countries represented on this list, we in New Zealand do have an IEP for students. The first letter in the acronym in our IEP is "Individual" so they are supposed to be tailored to the student's needs during their primary and high school education with a view to the future that awaits them once they leave the high school system.

There are so many additional skills a STEM student must have over and above the set of skills a humanities or law student needs at university. In my opinion, there are things that some professionals do that risks leaving a student high and dry once they leave their care.

Frustrated no; concerned yes.
Jonathan

-----Original Message-----
From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bente via Blindmath
Sent: Tuesday, 1 December 2015 7:04 a.m.
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
Cc: Bente
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] how did your TVIs assist you?

Jonathan,

 You seem to be very frustrated, however, I think your question is a bit difficult.  First of all this is a list serve for Mathematics and secondly you are dealing with two completely different scenario's.  K -12 is covered by an IEP.  Those things are no longer in play when a student goes to college.  In college we deal with accommodations.  While I share your frustration in many areas, I don't know that this forum is the place for that.  Also, asking a professional to ask students how they perceived their services to have failed them does not properly measure the services provided.  The K-12 are bound to the IEP, so if it is documented in the IEP, it must be done.  An example of this is a request in an IEP for a student to be able to re-take a test until they pass it and yes it has been done.  Does that prepare the student for college...absolutely not, BUT does it have to be done...the answer is yes.

Bente J. Casile
Math Learning Specialist
Disability Support Services
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh NC

> On November 30, 2015 at 12:53 PM "Godfrey, Jonathan via Blindmath"
> <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
>
> Hello,
>
> I'd like all professionals in the business of helping students ask their
> former students what things they actively did that left them unprepared for
> university. This is not really covered by the questions posed in Maureen's
> message.
>
> All too often I am observing 18-20 year old blind people lack independence and
> confidence and therefore struggle at university. The support mechanisms they
> had on hand during high school are no longer there; the disability support
> systems are not ready to help them; and the educators they must work with have
> even less idea. The issues are even further compounded in the STEM fields
> where so many additional skills are needed.
>
> In particular, I'd like to have seen more of the students I've come across
> gain experience preparing their own homework during high school so that they
> have experience before they get to university where there are so many other
> new things to have to deal with.
>
> University ought to be enjoyable and not be like standing on a beach watching
> a tidal wave coming, especially for those that can't see it.
>
> Jonathan
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of derek
> riemer via Blindmath
> Sent: Tuesday, 1 December 2015 5:41 a.m.
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> Cc: derek riemer
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] how did your TVIs assist you?
>
> Hi,
> If your student is planning to pursue a stem degree, then introduce them to la
> tex a bit. They should learn it asap as a college student because many stem
> materials may be more accessible in la tex format. Also, ensure that they know
> nemeth braille. It is insane how many people I know don't know nemeth braille,
> and it is essential to have tactile feedback of the math. Also, having them
> transcribe math to you as well as having them use a tool like nemetex will
> help them ensure they are prepared for the process of converting math in
> college. I don't know anyone in a college setting who can have a tvi or
> someone interline their homework. It is essential to learn how to verbally
> transcribe homework, especially in more complex courses. You can mostly
> survive calc 1 and 2 with a tool like nemetex, but in upper level courses such
> as linear algebra, I found it necessary to use paper with braille to even
> understand the material. Some of it is spacial enough that the tech isn't
> quite ready to present the math correctly. Also, without a transcriber to
> transcribe (verbally I read them what I wanted them to
> write) math in linear algebra, it meant at least 3 hours of typing out the
> matrices in la tex. This is compared to half an hour reading it to someone who
> was skilled at writing that level of math.
> Hth.
>
> On 11/30/2015 8:07 AM, Lewicki, Maureen via Blindmath wrote:
> > Good morning! I am a TVI of some great and capable students. Would you do me
> > a favor? Could you reflect back on your high school years and let me know:
> >
> > Did you have a TVI supporting you?
> > What did he/she do to prepare you for college and career?
> > What do you regret the TVI did not do to prepare you?
> >
> > Thanks for your input! My career is not long enough to make all my own
> > mistakes! I would rather learn from others' mistakes and strengths!!
> >
> > 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<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.<http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/30186.html> Helen Keller
> >
> >
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>
> --
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Derek Riemer
>
> * Department of computer science, third year undergraduate student.
> * Proud user of the NVDA screen reader.
> * Open source enthusiast.
> * Member of Bridge Cu
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>
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> Phone: (303) 906-2194
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