[BlindMath] Voice activated screen reader graphic calculators?

Sat Feb 2 19:29:18 UTC 2019

This email shows that you have not taken the time to read the manual.  You need to understand the Orion Accessory unit on the Graphing calculator before you can complain about the speed in which it can be used.  Again I can do this problem as fast as  alighted person on the Orion Ti-84.  There are faster ways to find min and max that you will learn in future math classes if you continue on.  Your question about making sounds for crossing the axis point is why I think you have not read the manual or explored the preference options.    The following is a short piece from the manual that is around 40 pages and worth every second to read:

Indicators
list of 6 items
• Axis Cross Indication—enables a sound indication when the graph is played and the audibilized position crosses the X or Y axis. Each axis has its own
unique sound. 
• Axis Tick Indication—enables a sound indication each time the audibilized position reaches an X axis tick mark. 
• Intersection Indication—an Intersection indication sound is generated (in continuous waveform playback mode) and a number is spoken (in trace mode) to
indicate that the current graph crosses another graph. If the graph crosses multiple graphs, it says multiple numbers. In playback mode, once a graph is
plotted on the screen, Orion plays the equation sound. If the current coordinate intersects with another graph, Orion plays intersection indication.

In trace mode while navigating the graph, Orion plays the coordinate sound. If the coordinate is intersecting with another graph, Orion plays the intersection
indication and announces the graph number.

• Maximum and Minimum Indication—(in trace mode and/or during the continuous waveform playback mode) a minimum or maximum sound is generated to indicate
that the current graph point is either a local minimum or maximum. In playback mode, once the graph is plotted on the screen, Orion plays the equation
sound. If the current coordinate is either minimum or maximum, the coordinate sound is mixed with min/max indication, respectively.

In trace mode, Orion plays the coordinate sound. If the current coordinate is either minimum or maximum, the coordinate sound is mixed with the min/max
indication, respectively.

• Shaded Regions—during cursor navigation in Graph mode, an indication tone (in tone mode) is generated for the current cursor position within the region
(inside shaded, out of shaded, and on graph line). This is followed by an announcement (inside shaded, out of shaded, and on graph line) for the respective
graph. In speech mode, Orion announces the current cursor coordinates (x, y values) followed by announcement of current cursor position (shaded region,
out of shaded region, and on graph line).

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindMath <blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Kendra Schaber via BlindMath
Sent: Saturday, February 2, 2019 3:08 AM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics <blindmath at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Kendra Schaber <redwing731 at gmail.com>; Steve Jacobson <steve.jacobson at visi.com>
Subject: Re: [BlindMath] Voice activated screen reader graphic calculators?

Hi all! 
 Concidering that I’m going to advance up to Trig and Calculus once I’m done with algebra, the need to get the minamum and maximum with better efficency is also over the long term, at least, as long as I’m taking math classes. I didn’t say that that particular feature needed a totally drastic change because I want the things that everyone is stuck with across the board left alone. If I changed the way that the screen is set, then it would drastically change the calculator and turn it even more of a piece of specialty technology and the last time I checked, the TI84 doesn’t need help in its specialty quaility. It’s the part where the blind user has to hunt the slow route to find the spasific points in question that needs to be sped up a bit. Even if the change was minor enough to keep the calculator test acceptable. Just something that allows the blind user to compete a bit closer to their sited fellows. In other words, level the playing field enough to be reletively comprable to what’s expected of us to meet, even with our already longer than “normal” time requirements. We are already slowed down enough with just looking at braille graphs and there is always the possability for unexpected hooror situations that pop up, particularly with the braille matereal itself without any extra help. Besides, we can’t always ask a tutor to find the maximum and minamum points during a test. We have to find that information ourselves in the first place. In my book, that prosess needs to fall into the range of aloted time that is accepted to our expectations, not outside them. Like I said, the change doesn’t have to be drastic; just enough to keep it test worthy while allowing enough efficency to allow us to keep our appropiate window of time that’s within workable range for us to help us level the playing field that we have aimed at leveling for almost a centry. I’m wondering, if the calculator could include a sound like a pop to indicate the graph crossing an access and announcing it’s coordinents or even for that matter, making a pop whenever the graph crosses an access and then the user makes the choice to switch modes to check their coordinents to see if it’s a minamun or a maximum? Or even if the calculator could make a sound when the graph turned and caused the user to switch modes to check their coordinent. On top of that, have a clear curser marker that tells them their location and one that lines up with the calculator’s screen. Once that’s been established, then the user could play the whole graph, change the curser to the point where the user heard the pop for example and then, check their coordinents. I don’t know if these ideas would render it untestable in schools but I hope the ideas are minor enough to make a difference to us middle ground folk. As for the tutorial itself, I did look at the APH tutorial on the day that I started to play with the calculator. Since I’m in the 30 and older croud, I need something that gives clear, dirrect, persise dirrections that are both spoken and written in plain English. Yes, much like the game Simon Says in both forms in order to learn this equipment. Most things that try to teach the technology, particularly the specialized technology is written in overly technical language that none of us who have never programed a computer one day in our life such as myself can understand. True, I like the longm book that tells the reader all of the features of this calculator. But the language is not simple enough for us middle ground techies who are techie enough to remember how to run a computer after the skill has been mastered but also not techie enough to pick up a brand new piece of equipment that apears like it belongs at NASA and figure out how to use that piece of equipment. Honestly, I had to have someone hold my habnd for a few months before I mastered the iPhone. Now, I can teach others how to use one because I have owned iPhones since 2012. I’m still in that “I need someone to hold my hand” learning stage with my TI84. There is not enough good matereal for the population who I fall under which is the average every day joe who can run a computer but has to be physically taught how to run the computer in the first place before that skill is mastered. The tech industry is leaving my crowd in the dust. I want something more along the lines of what Apple Vis does. They do a podcast where they teach anyone how to work an Apple product or a product that can connect up to Apple’s products, teach it in plain English and, they also speak their dirrections clear enough that most people understand the dirrections. If you ask me, that style needs to be widespread for those of us who are not the age of my oldest niece or younger who grew up in a techy world. There is still the place to teach the less technically inclined the more complicated technology in a very clear, simple plain English, very much like the English that is always used to discribe how to plug the device into the wall for example. Of all things, how to plug the device in to the wall and turn it on is the most usefulness that I have ever gotten from a manual of any form. Why not have that kind of language all the way through the mannuals, vidios and tutorials? I’m not seeing enough of that and in my book, it needs to continue. I know that I’m not the only one who needs their hand held when they first get a new piece of complicated technology. 

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
"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear" Author Unknown. 
 Sent From My iPhone SE. 
 Sent from My Gmail Email. 
 Get Outlook Express for IOS.    

> On Feb 1, 2019, at 18:35, Steve Jacobson via BlindMath <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> As the moderator, I want to thank Ken for his patience in helping to 
> work through this issue.  Please let me add my voice to his and others 
> that trying the tutorials that APH offers first makes sense.  Also, 
> and I assumed this has not changed completely, there will be other 
> methods taught to mathematically find the minimum and maximum points 
> of a graph.  I am guessing that the current need for this is a short 
> one.  Also, Ken's point that including certain features might 
> invalidate the use of the calculator in a test situation.
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Steve Jacobson
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindMath <blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ken Perry 
> via BlindMath
> Sent: Friday, February 1, 2019 12:15 PM
> To: 'Kendra Schaber' <redwing731 at gmail.com>; 'Blind Math list for 
> those interested in mathematics' <blindmath at nfbnet.org>; 'Blind Math 
> list for those interested in mathematics' <blindmath at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: kperry at blinksoft.com
> Subject: Re: [BlindMath] Voice activated screen reader graphic calculators?
> 
> I think something you don't understand is the TI-84 method of finding 
> minimum and maximum is the exact same way a sighted person has to do it.
> The calculator will not give you the answer with out picking two 
> guesses one on each side.  If it just gave you the max and min the 
> calculator would not be allowed on some of the tests it is now.  The NSpire will do it and that
> is why it is not allowed on some of the tests the 84 is.   Again I will ask
> have you used the tutorials from Susan on doing Min and max?  It shows
> exactly how to do it with keys and an example.    
> 
> 
> 
> Ken
> 
> 
> 
> From: Kendra Schaber <redwing731 at gmail.com>
> Sent: Friday, February 1, 2019 10:32 AM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics 
> <blindmath at nfbnet.org>; Blind Math list for those interested in 
> mathematics <blindmath at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: kperry at blinksoft.com
> Subject: Re: [BlindMath] Voice activated screen reader graphic calculators?
> 
> 
> 
> Hi all! 
> 
> I wouldn't want to use dictation for every single math problem out 
> there, partly because I know what the battle is like, particularly 
> when dictating something like a text message or am Email. I can't 
> count how many times when I would watch a friend try to dictate an 
> Email or a text only for them to take five or ten tries before the 
> software would get their message right. I have had more luck with 
> typing in my commands to SIRI instead of dictating them. The only time 
> I dictate with SIRI is when I have her make a phone call or get a word 
> spelled. I would mainly use dictation when I needed to speed up a 
> homework problem like finding the minamum or maximum on a graph for 
> example because I have not found a very efficent way to find that 
> information on the TI84 graphing calculator. Speaking of the TI84, my 
> apponyon on them so far is that they are good but a bit too 
> complicated for my innitial enjoyment. But they are not as simular to 
> the normal ones as everyone wants you to believe. For example, every 
> time I have gone and worked with a sited person to work my own TI84, 
> yes, they've been able to work my TI84 just fine but almost every 
> single time, accessability has come up and none of them have been able 
> to figure that part out. Even my math teacher and I agreed that the 
> way the TI84 allows you to find the minamum and maximum on a graph for 
> example is very inefficient. I'm looking for tools out there that would or could work along side the calculator to cover the slow gaps. I have heard of those calculator software programs out there.
> Does anyone know if any of them, particularly the free ones can do 
> things like finding maximum and minamum better than the TI84 can? The 
> only one I know of that can is the one that View Plus offers. Is that 
> the only one or are there others that are just as good? I usually take 
> my laptop computer to school because I use it for my writing class 
> anyway. I don't mind giving it another excuse to help me in my school 
> work. I have Windows ten, NVDA, and JAWS 2018 installed on it. I don't 
> currently have Math Tipe on it. Does that limit me with these accesible graphing calculator software?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Thank you for taking the time to read this Email! 
> 
> 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 <mailto:Redwing731 at gmail.com>
> 
> Chemeketa Community College Email: 
> 
> Kschaber at my.Chemeketa.edu <mailto:Kschaber at my.Chemeketa.edu>
> 
> Phone: 
> 
> 971-599-9991
> 
> "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear", Author unknown. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone SE. 
> 
> Sent from my Gmail Email
> 
> Get Outlook
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> 
> 
> 
>  _____
> 
> From: BlindMath <blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org 
> <mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org> > on behalf of Ken Perry via 
> BlindMath <blindmath at nfbnet.org <mailto:blindmath at nfbnet.org> >
> Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2019 19:29
> To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'
> Cc: kperry at blinksoft.com <mailto:kperry at blinksoft.com>
> Subject: Re: [BlindMath] Voice activated screen reader graphic calculators? 
> 
> 
> 
> This will make doing work in a group very difficult. People always 
> think voice is the future for blind people till they sit down and try to use it.
> Just think of how fun it is to fight with the best voice activated 
> devices, Alexa, Siri, and Google. Now add the problem of math. I say 
> good luck but I wouldn't do it. At least not with the current power of voice activation.
> 
> Ken
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: BlindMath <blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org 
> <mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Kendra Schaber 
> via BlindMath
> Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2019 10:20 PM
> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics 
> <blindmath at nfbnet.org <mailto:blindmath at nfbnet.org> >
> Cc: Kendra Schaber <redwing731 at gmail.com <mailto:redwing731 at gmail.com> 
> >
> Subject: [BlindMath] Voice activated screen reader graphic calculators?
> 
> Hi all! 
> Today, at the end of math class, my math teacher came up with a good idea.
> He recamended that I should hunt for a nice graphic calculator that 
> can be activated by voice commands, much like SIRI is opperated. He 
> suggested that I get my hands on one called I think it's called Pentel 
> or something like it. I have not used this calculator for an iphone. I 
> don't know if it's screen reader accessible. Does anyone know of a 
> graphic calculator that can be opperated by voice, that's software on 
> a computer or smart phone and is screen reader accessible? I think 
> that it might help me out in addition to the TI84 graphic calculator.
> 
> 
> 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 <mailto:Redwing731 at gmail.com> Chemeketa Community 
> College Email:
> Kschaber at my.Chemeketa.edu <mailto:Kschaber at my.Chemeketa.edu>
> Phone: 
> 971-599-9991
> "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear" Author Unknown. 
> Sent From My iPhone SE. 
> Sent from My Gmail Email. 
> Get Outlook Express for IOS. 
> 
> _______________________________________________
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