<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3603" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY style="MARGIN: 4px 4px 1px; FONT: 10pt Tahoma">
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'">Hi Folks,</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'">The following is an opportunity to review a prototype web-based tutoring program (for teaching ratio and proportion) <SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">through a National Eye Institute funded study </SPAN>in the NFB's Nonvisual Accessibility Web Application Certification Program. This is the world’s first example of accessible Artificial Intelligence-based software for mathematics education. We would like to ask your help by reviewing this accessible prototype and giving us feedback. This involves using the prototype briefly and then completing an online survey.<I> The entire review process takes only 15-20 minutes.</I> See below for details.</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT face="Times New Roman">-<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'">Judi<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Dear TVI, </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>I’m sorry to bother you guys again, but I need to ask for assistance with the accessible math tutoring project. Although there appeared to be significant interest in us creating this software for blind students, unfortunately so far there has been only a handful of people who actually used the prototype and gave us the feedback we need to report to the funding agency. I know everyone is very busy, but all it takes is 15-20 minutes to use the program and fill out the online survey about it. TVI reviews are a key metric NIH will use for evaluating the project, and unless we get better participation than this there is a real risk of NIH canceling the funding. If this happens, we will be forced to abandon the project. It will be dangerous (as well as a great shame) to give the sponsoring agency the impression that the TVI community does not consider this effort worthwhile, but I’m afraid that’s exactly the impression they would get if we had to submit the report today. Please help us by reviewing the prototype and filling out the survey. This will increase the chance of keeping the project alive? I’ve reproduced the access information and instructions below. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Thank you very much, </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Jeff </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Jeff Dittel</SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> <BR></FONT><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">~~~~~~~~~~~</SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> <BR></FONT><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Software Engineer</SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> <BR></FONT><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><A href="mailto:dittel@quantumsimulations.com"><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">dittel@quantumsimulations.com</SPAN></A> </SPAN><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><BR></FONT></FONT><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">(414)248-2292</SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Dear Colleague: </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>We are contacting you as part of a research study funded by the National Institutes of Health (National Eye Institute). Through prior federally-supported research, Quantum Simulations has developed, tested and brought to the classroom tutoring systems that are based on artificial intelligence (AI). Research has shown again and again that one-on-one tutoring is a highly effective method for improving student learning and achievement. The Quantum intelligent tutoring technology achieved breakthroughs over ordinary tutorial software in several key respects: students can use their<I> own</I> problems, get help on their<I> own</I> mistakes, and ask the tutor questions. In scientifically-based studies, these AI tutors have improved student performance and comprehension significantly. For more information on the educational technology used in this project, please visit <SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><A href="http://www.quantumsimulations.com/"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">www.quantumsimulations.com</SPAN></A></SPAN>.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>The goal of the present research project is to bring the full power and benefit of this cutting-edge educational technology to students who are blind and visually impaired. We have just achieved an important and exciting milestone: certification of a prototype web-based tutoring program (for ratio and proportion) in the National Federation of the Blind’s Nonvisual Accessibility Web Application Certification Program. This is the world’s first example of accessible AI-based software for mathematics education. We would like to ask your help by reviewing this accessible prototype and giving us feedback. This involves using the prototype briefly and then completing an online survey.<I> The entire review process takes only 15-20 minutes.</I> This will provide much-needed information from the TVI community to inform project decisions, and your participation will help to ensure the result is of the highest quality before the student evaluation phase of the project. The current phase of the project specifically concerns screen reader use of the software. The next phase will add Braille support (including Nemeth). The NFB has certified the software for use with JAWS and Window-Eyes.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>You can access the prototype at: </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><A href="http://review.quantum-eservices.com/accessible_demo.phpInstructions"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">http://review.quantum-eservices.com/accessible_demo.phpInstructions</SPAN></A></SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> are included with the program; here are some “quick start” suggestions. The tutor allows you to enter your own problems for help. The </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>first time you use the program, we suggest you try a very simple problem and then explore from there. For example, on the opening page click the first “OK” button and then enter the problem “1 / 2 = x / 6” by typing 1, 2, x and 6 in the edit boxes and clicking “OK”. Then, instead of entering the correct answer (3) right away, try entering some mistakes to see how the tutor responds, and ask questions from the menus to see how students can get help.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>For your convenience, at the end of this message are the screen reader guidelines that are included with the program. Be sure to try all the accessibility features of the program, such as (in JAWS) typing ‘h’ for quick access to all the most important sections of the page and ‘t’ to navigate to the tutoring session transcript. After using the software, please give us your feedback and suggestions by completing the survey at:</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><A href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=seubAqTdAKhWDtsG4_2fxZqg_3d_3d"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=seubAqTdAKhWDtsG4_2fxZqg_3d_3d</SPAN></A></SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Please complete your review as soon as possible so that your feedback can be considered in shaping the direction of the research and included in the project report to the National Eye Institute.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Thank you very much for your assistance in this project. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Sincerely, </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Benny G. Johnson, Ph.D. <BR>Principal Investigator </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B>Screen Reader Guidelines</B> <BR>The following is a list of guidelines describing the philosophy used when creating the pages for this application. Standard HTML elements are used to make it as easy as possible to navigate the pages using the common screen reader browser navigation commands. Please refer to your specific screen reader manual to learn these navigation techniques. </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>1.</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>The most important areas of each page will follow a header element (‘h’ in JAWS). For example, after asking the tutor a question, the response will follow a header element. </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>2.</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>When there is an opportunity for the user to enter information, there will be an edit control, and there typically will only be one edit control per page. Note: For some screen readers the user must use the "Enter" key to access the edit control. </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>3.</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>The List element is used to organize the information on the page. For example, the questions you can ask the Tutor are organized in a list element. </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>4.</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3>The table element is used to organize the information on the page. For example, when the user is interacting with the tutor, the Transcript of actions is contained in a table (‘t’ in JAWS) that follows the main content of the page. </FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Note: Links to definitions of terms may open in a new browser window. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Jeff Dittel, President</SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> <BR></FONT><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> <BR></FONT><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Britlan Ltd.</SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> <BR></FONT><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">516 E. Birch Ave</SPAN></st1:Street><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> <BR></FONT><st1:City w:st="on"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Whitefish Bay</SPAN></st1:City><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, <st1:State w:st="on">WI</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">53217</st1:PostalCode></SPAN></st1:address><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> <BR></FONT><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">(414)248-2292</SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT></o:p></P></BODY></HTML>