[Blindmath] Techniques for taking Algebra through Calculus?

Mon Feb 29 18:43:42 UTC 2016

Just to clarify, I’m suggesting that a student who is blind write their work using CAS markup. Regarding standard tests… It is true a student can not use a programable or graphing calculator on ACT, SAT, and GRE. The mathematics level of the GRE is actually lower than the ACT and SAT. My understanding is that it is far less reliable that a student has taken a math class within the last 3 years and as such the work does not go beyond College Algebra/Algebra 2. 

However, I think a TI-80 or higher calculator would be considered a CAS device, which is allowed on AP exams these days. They weren’t when I took my Calculus AP, and I was rather indignant when I found out they are! I’d draw your attention to the below quote found at: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-calculus-ab/calculator-policy

"Calculator memories will not be cleared. Students are allowed to bring to the exam calculators containing whatever programs they want. Students must not use calculator memories to take test materials out of the room. Students that attempt to remove test materials from the room by any method will have their exam grades invalidated."

-Sean

> On Feb 29, 2016, at 11:37 AM, Ken Perry <kperry at blinksoft.com> wrote:
> 
> CAS can't be used on standard tests and neither can programming languages
> that do your work for you.
> 
> Ken
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org>] On Behalf Of Sean
> Tikkun via Blindmath
> Sent: Monday, February 29, 2016 12:30 PM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
> <blindmath at nfbnet.org <mailto:blindmath at nfbnet.org>>
> Cc: Sean Tikkun <jaquis at mac.com <mailto:jaquis at mac.com>>
> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Techniques for taking Algebra through Calculus?
> 
> Doing Math with a programing language, from my point of view is doable,
> always has been. The modules are just sub-programs that execute certain
> functions and algorithms. I believe some of my early programs in Basic on an
> Apple II did my homework for me. Later Mathematica did the same service when
> I was in College. When working as a TVI I taught a High School student who
> read braille the language and he completed his work using the Wolfram-Alpha
> langauge (almost identical markup as Mathematica) to make graphs and check
> his work. 
> 
> There are very strong Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) that are used by
> mathematicians and present all output on a single line (as we want it to in
> braille!) Not sure why the braille community has never moved towards CAS
> markup since all math teachers and mathematicians already recognize it. Also
> would be little to no backwards translation issues.
> 
> Sean
> 
> 
>> On Feb 26, 2016, at 2:02 PM, Jamal Mazrui via Blindmath
> <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> I recently read a couple of books that lead me to believe that 
>> algebra, calculus, and statistics may all be done with the Python 
>> programming language and science-related modules.  The titles, which a 
>> web search will find, are "Doing Math with Python" and "Think Stats."  
>> Rather than the default Python shell, a more sophisticated one called 
>> IPython is recommended, available at www.ipython.org 
>> <http://www.ipython.org/>
>> 
>> Jamal
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org 
>> <mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org>] On Behalf Of Brandon Keith 
>> Biggs via Blindmath
>> Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2016 11:43 PM
>> To: blindmath at nfbnet.org <mailto:blindmath at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Brandon Keith Biggs <brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com 
>> <mailto:brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com>>
>> Subject: [Blindmath] Techniques for taking Algebra through Calculus?
>> 
>> Hello,
>> I am looking for some ways my student can use to take Algebra through 
>> calculus that does not require a significant investment of time to get 
>> up and running.
>> I know about Latex, but from what I have seen, it takes quite a bit of 
>> time to learn.
>> 
>> Nemeth does not work because my student does not know Braille.
>> 
>> The only other option I can think of is having a tutor there, writing 
>> out in huge letters, or using manipulatives to explain the concepts. I 
>> did this going through Statistics, but it was not fun and currently 
>> the student has not had much success with this method.
>> 
>> The accessibility person has suggested something using math ML may work.
>> Has anyone worked with math ML before?
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Brandon Keith Biggs <http://brandonkeithbiggs.com/> 
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