[BlindMath] Accessible Calculators:

Wed Nov 28 11:42:05 UTC 2018

The major problem with the software calculators is they are not allowed on standardized tests in schools.   The second problem is you spend a lot of time learning the tool such as matlab etc and not doing your course work.  You probably should learn more powerful tools if you're going to continue on with math but if your just doing math as a means to get a degree and you're not interested in sticking with math learning something like matlab is overkill. The Orion TI-84 is designed using the TI-84 because still to this day most math books are using it as the examples.  Most math classes across the USA are using it as the base tool.  This means a blind student doesn't need to do anything different.  As Bill said the only difference is the MathPrint mode is not yet supported on the Orion TI-84.  That is just a graphical system to do problems as they are printed on paper.  The calculator loses no functionality with out that mode so you can do everything your counter parts in class are doing and the instructor in most cases does not have to even change the way instruction is done.     You can get up and running with the Orion TI-84 in no time.  I would say the only weird thing about the Orion TI-84 is you have to charge the top part and put batteries in the bottom part.  That confuses some people because if the calculator stops talking they sometimes don't understand they have to keep the top part charge to keep it talking while the batteries in the bottom part keep the TI-84 going.   With that said the Orion TI-84 is not hard to learn when you are in a class that is using it.    It is not hard to learn if you are using it on your own for that matter.  It is just easier to learn when your in a class where everyone else is using the same tools.

Ken

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindMath <blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Santiago Velasquez via BlindMath
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2018 11:57 PM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics <blindmath at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Santiago Velasquez <zanty410 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [BlindMath] Accessible Calculators:

Hi Kendra,

Have you considered looking at software calculators instead. Something like MatLab.

In the long term they will provide more flexibility, and from experience they are more accessible. I personally use MatLab for my engineering degree, and I just cannot justify the handheld calculators.

regards
Santi

> On 28 Nov 2018, at 6:59 am, Kendra Schaber via BlindMath <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi all! I’m required to use an IT83 in my math class in January. I was also recamended to work with the APH TI84 because it has the added talking peace added onto it. Unfortunently, when I talked with my education team just before lunch, the APH Ti84 got some sceptisism and my technology teacher also didn’t get enough good reviews regarding this calculator. Has anyone used it in math class? If so, what are your experiences with the APH TI84 graphic calculator with the talking peace added to it? How did it work for you? Were you able to use it independently and without problems? If not, what are the problems? How did you get around those problems? Are there areas where you have to have sited help with this calculator? Can you use it out of the box? Did a sited person have to set it up for you? Even more importantly, are you able to use the whole calculator without sited help? The more I know about this calculator, the marrier!!! I need to educate my education team myself on this matter.
> 
> 
> Thank you for taking the time to read this E Mail! 
> Blessed be!!! 
> Kendra Schaber,
> Chemeketa Community College,
> 350 Org, 
> Citizen’s Climate Lobby,    
> National Federation of the Blind of Oregon, Capitol Chapter, Salem, 
> Oregon.
> Home email: 
> Redwing731 at gmail.com
> Chemeketa Community College Email: 
> Kschaber at my.Chemeketa.edu
> Phone: 
> 971-599-9991
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