[nabs-l] Techniques for Doing Math in Braille

[Lanie]

Thanks for the advice everyone.  I already use my BrailleNote for 
homework, but I do need to try to get faster at taking notes with 
it.  This is tough because I've always had trouble taking notes.  
I have trouble
coming up with shorthand and figuring out the main idea of stuff 
to write it down.  As for the textbooks, I only need one for 
class, but the rest are for homework between classes.  I'm often 
on campus doing homework for about 4-5 hours before and between 
classes.
 ----- Original Message -----
From: "Nicole B.  Torcolini at Home" <ntorcolini at wavecable.com
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:14:27 -0700
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Techniques for Doing Math in Braille

Also, depending on what level of calc you are doing and if you 
are willing
to take a little extra time, there is a way to convert Nemeth 
written on an
electronic Braille notetaker into LaTex and then into PDF.

Nicole

----- Original Message -----
From: "Arielle Silverman" <arielle71 at gmail.com
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 2:11 PM
Subject: [nabs-l] Techniques for Doing Math in Braille


 Hi Laney and all,
 As we know, when choosing alternative techniques to get our work 
done
 we often have to make trade-offs.  In this case there is a 
trade-off
 between the amount of stuff we carry around and the extra 
clarity
 provided by doing math using Braille writing equipment.  
Everyone will
 come to a different opinion about what works best for them, and 
that
 is fine.  For some of us it is worth the back pain and hassle to 
carry
 a Perkins Brailler between home and class; for others of us 
working on
 the Braille Note is efficient and clear enough that we decide 
not to
 bother with the heavy Braille books and equipment.  I can 
definitely
 see some compromises, though.  For example could you use your 
Braille
 Note for taking notes in class but use your Perkins for doing 
homework
 assignments at home? Also, do you need your calc textbook with 
you in
 class every day or is it mostly used for working homework 
problems?
 I have not taken calculus since high school, but when I did I 
did all
 my notetaking and homework assignments on a Braille notetaker 
(Braille
 Lite was the best device at that time).  I have also taken four
 statistics classes in college and grad school and in all cases, 
I took
 notes on a Braille Note or laptop and completed homework using 
my
 laptop, with my Braille Note as a calculator and way to write 
down
 equations and formulas for my own reference.  While reading long
 equations on a small Braille display can be a nuisance, and 
isn't the
 best method for everyone, it might be worthwhile to practice
 notetaking on your Braille Note to build up your speed and 
confidence.
 When taking notes, it is not necessary to write in perfect 
Nemeth code
 or computer Braille.  I often did my notes in a combination of 
Nemeth,
 literary Braille and other shorthand I made up that would only 
make
 sense to me.  Your notes only need to make sense to you and they 
don't
 have to be exhaustive--they just need to capture the main ideas.
 Again, I think the best way to lighten your load would be to try 
using
 your Braillewriter only outside of class, and also see if you 
are able
 to forgo your Braille text while you are in class.
 Best of luck,
 Arielle

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