Return-Path: <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id j8MFpcG07870; Thu, 22 Sep 2005 11:51:39 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2005 11:51:39 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <200509221549.CAD06239@puntd5.cc.uga.edu> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Christopher Lee" <christopherlee@mindspring.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-LD:4865] RE: Ways to present mathematics X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Office Outlook, Build 11.0.6353 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 3070 Lines: 74 Hello Michele, This was not an easy question - made a few calls and tried to see what other people were doing in this area. Without hanging out with the students it is hard to evaluate what AT and services would be the best. However, I would consider looking at math software programs for students who are blind. I have listed information on the Virtual Pencil as well as other resources below. Hentermatn.com has a product called the virtual pencil (see description below) which I have heard good things about -- I have not been trained on it but I know a few people that have... and they speak very highly of it. There are currently two products 1)VP Arithmetic handles addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, with fractions and decimals; 2)VP Algebra handles quantities, radicals, exponents, subscripts, Greek letters, absolute values, matrices, fractions, and many editing features. It runs only in Windows, from Windows 95 and newer. From my understanding there is some set up on the teachers part at the beginning. The great thing is that you can download a demo from the downloads page. Future versions will do higher levels of math, like trigonometry, differential equations, and calculus. The products range in price for 150-400. Michelle if you would like for me to put you in-contact with someone that has gone through the training -let me know Product Description for the Hentermath website The traditional pencil is a problem for people who are blind, or people who can't grip it or move it, or those who are learning disabled. A pencil plays a key part in learning Math, and other equation-solving disciplines. Typically a student uses a pencil to "work through" a math problem, writing down the intermediate answers and using them to get the final answer. But if you can't operate a pencil then you can't write down the intermediate answers, which makes it very difficult to use them in acquiring the final answer, and does not leave anything on the paper to show that you actually worked through the problem and you know how to solve it. Of course, if you are blind, the pencil doesn't tell you what numbers to add together either. Other resource you might what to check out http://hentermath.com/ https://commerce35.datapipe.com/hentermath/order1.asp These are geared toward the blind - but as you know they would have appeal to individuals with LD because of the multimedia (sound) component. http://www.utahvi.com/math.htm -----Original Message----- From: nifl-ld@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-ld@nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Michele Anne Craig Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 8:01 PM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: [NIFL-LD:4861] Ways to present mathematics Christopher, I was wondering if you have any suggestions for adaptive technology or ways to teach mathematics to students who have visual-spatial processing problems, either from traumatic brain injury or from a learning disability. I am specifically thinking about long division, which seems to be very confusing. Michele Craig Woodland Adult School
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