[nabs-l] Techniques for Doing Math in Braille

Sun Apr 22 00:17:33 UTC 2012

Hi Lanie,
I double majored in psychology and statistics as an undergrad and took
quite a few college-level math classes. Like you, I have always
preferred the Perkins braille writer over electronic notetakers when
it comes to doing math problems. I was, however, able to find a way to
take notes efficiently in class using my Braille Note and only used
the Perkins for homework assignments. In some instances where I had
trouble taking down all the formulas and equations, I recorded the
lectures using a digital voice recorder (after getting the
instructor's permission) so that I can go back and review the details
later. I lived on campus as an undergrad so was able to return to my
dorm between classes to study and work on homework, but in your case,
I'm wondering whether you could coordinate your study schedule a bit
so that you could work on your assignments for other non-math classes
(which probably only require a laptop or your braille notetaker) on
campus and do the calculus problem sets while you are at home? I know
that such adjustments can be a little annoying, but they may be
worthwhile if carrying around all the heavy equipment and braille
texts is really getting to you.
Hope this helps!
Katie

On 4/21/12, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Lenie,
> so you don't live on campus? Is this a 4 year or community college?
> I think I have some ideas; will write later.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lanie
> Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2012 7:15 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Techniques for Doing Math in Braille
>
> 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
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
> info for
> nabs-l:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/ntorcolini%40
> wavecable.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
> for nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/readtobuild%4
> 0gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bunnykatie6%40gmail.com
>