[nabs-l] Advanced foreign language advice needed

Fri Aug 24 22:30:57 UTC 2012

Again, I don't think having a notetaker makes things any easier. It
might be easier in the short term, but will just require more studying
and catch-up later to integrate the notetaker's notes with your own.
If you focus exclusively on what the professor is saying, and
integrate notes from the PowerPoint later, you should be fine. Most of
the PowerPoint will just be redundant with what the professor said
anyway. Actively reviewing with a study partner can fill any gaps.

On 8/24/12, Brandon Keith Biggs <brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello,
> The question for the original topic was how to do top level language classes
>
> in Braille with all the switches between notes and worksheets and whatnot. A
>
> note taker is a good idea for such a high level class if you are feeling
> like it is overwhelming. After all, you have already passed the multitude of
>
> other classes to get to this point without a note taker. Just having an note
>
> taker for these extremely advanced classes is probably OK. When the class is
>
> speeding ahead in another language, and you have two languages flowing
> through your ears as well as the computer language that you need to change
> from one paper to another, having that backup would be nice. Of course a
> note taker is just a tool, it isn't an end. If anyone keeps that in mind I
> believe they will be fine.
> I have never taken such a high level class, but a note taker could also be a
>
> study partner.
> Thank you,
>
> Brandon Keith Biggs
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lavonya Gardner
> Sent: Friday, August 24, 2012 2:54 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Advanced foreign language advice needed
>
> I just use my laptop iPad or my one on one
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Aug 24, 2012, at 17:27, Danielle Sykora <dsykora29 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi everyone,
>> Yes, I agree that we should be able to take our own notes. The ability
>> to take notes is a very important skill. It doesn't seem practical to
>> always expect to have someone else take notes for you.
>> Just my opinion,
>> Danielle
>>
>> On 8/24/12, Lavonya Gardner <hotdancer1416 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> They have note takers for school and assistances for work. I have 1
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>
>>> On Aug 24, 2012, at 17:00, David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> My view may not be popular -- but, it seems to me that as blind persons
>>>>
>>>> we
>>>> need to be able to take notes as does everybody else.  Use of a human
>>>> note
>>>> taker, while it may seem expedient, isn't going to prepare you for the
>>>> real world.  Unless you have a problem, in addition to blindness, most
>>>> employers aren't, and shouldn't provide you with a note taker.  We need
>>>>
>>>> to
>>>> have the tools to study as everybody else does.
>>>>
>>>> I would use the Braille note to take notes in class, and worry about
>>>> powerpoints etc. later.
>>>>
>>>> Dave
>>>>
>>>> At 09:10 PM 8/21/2012, you wrote:
>>>>> Hello,
>>>>> If this is a state college, if you ask for a note taker, they can't
>>>>> deny
>>>>> you a note taker. If they say that is against their policy, say that
>>>>> is
>>>>> BS and you can sue them.
>>>>> If they are a private college that put you on a 504 plan the case is
>>>>> the
>>>>> same. They can provide you accommodation if it isn't unreasonable.
>>>>> Thank you,
>>>>>
>>>>> Brandon Keith Biggs
>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Ashley Bramlett
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 6:37 PM
>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Advanced foreign language advice needed
>>>>>
>>>>> Aleeha,
>>>>> Well, that is too bad because I think a foregin language class is one
>>>>> where
>>>>> a notetaker would be very  beneficial.
>>>>> If you feel you miss material in class, you can always go to the
>>>>> professor's
>>>>> office hours. In my experience, they are generally real willing to
>>>>> help
>>>>> and
>>>>> repeat or clarify any lecture material.
>>>>>
>>>>> Ashley
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: aleeha dudley
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 8:28 PM
>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Advanced foreign language advice needed
>>>>>
>>>>> I use a note taker in science classes and am not ashamed to say it.
>>>>> The
>>>>> university does not provide these services for foreign language
>>>>> classes.
>>>>> Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.
>>>>>
>>>>> Aleeha Dudley
>>>>> President, Ohio Association of Blind Students
>>>>> Changing what it means to be blind
>>>>>
>>>>> On Aug 21, 2012, at 6:40 PM, "Ashley Bramlett"
>>>>> <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Aleeha,
>>>>>> Sounds like a handful. I would not be able to read notes on a laptop,
>>>>>> take notes and listen at the same time even if it was in english!
>>>>>> What teaching style does she use? I only took foreign language in
>>>>>> high
>>>>>> school; I would not want to try in college due to no braille
>>>>>> availability. In high school I was accomodated with hard copy braille
>>>>>> and braille texts which was vital to my success; college you have to
>>>>>> do
>>>>>> auditorily.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What I'd suggest is not reading the class notes in class. Do you need
>>>>>>
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> read them for a worksheet or group activity? If so, could someone
>>>>>> else
>>>>>> read them with you? Sometimes my professors have a study guide but I
>>>>>> follow auditorily since I ask the professor to speak out the
>>>>>> questions
>>>>>> before going over them. If in a group of students, I try and get them
>>>>>>
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> read the handout to me so I can participate.
>>>>>> Instead of in class, get any handouts ahead of time and read them. If
>>>>>> you feel you need them in class, is it possible to put the handout
>>>>>> file
>>>>>> on your braille note and switch files from your notes and class
>>>>>> notes?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Another idea which might be quicker for accessing notes is to emboss
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> class notes. Do you have an embosser of yours or the schools?
>>>>>> I find that i can  skim a hard copy document faster than a braille
>>>>>> display file.
>>>>>> Also recording class might help. Another idea, which many would
>>>>>> disagree
>>>>>> with, is have a notetaker. Your school should provide a notetaker
>>>>>> upon
>>>>>> request for you. Languages classes go fast and I think it would be
>>>>>> hard
>>>>>> to take notes as fast as they go especially when other students can
>>>>>> copy
>>>>>> notes from the board or slide at their pace and you have to do it
>>>>>> right as the teacher talks.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> HTH,
>>>>>> Ashley
>>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: aleeha dudley
>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 10:08 AM
>>>>>> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Advanced foreign language advice needed
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I was wondering if any of you have taken 300 level foreign language
>>>>>> classes and if so, how did you keep track of all that is happening in
>>>>>> the class? I am finding it difficult to read the class notes on my
>>>>>> laptop, take my own notes on my Braillenote apex, and also try to
>>>>>> comprehend what the instructor is saying since it is all in Spanish.
>>>>>> Let
>>>>>> me know what you think. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Aleeha Dudley
>>>>>> President, Ohio Association of Blind Students
>>>>>> Changing what it means to be blind
>>>>
>>>>
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