mathematics for blind students in the classroom

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Mathematics for Blind Students in the Classroom April 24th, 2010 Dan Brown Texas Blindness Products Sales

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Mathematics for Blind Students in the Classroom. April 24th, 2010 Dan Brown Texas Blindness Products Sales. Nemeth Code. Doctor Abraham Nemeth began developing his Braille math code around 1946 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Mathematics for Blind Students

in the Classroom

April 24th, 2010

Dan BrownTexas Blindness Products Sales

Page 2: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Nemeth Code

Doctor Abraham Nemeth began developing his Braille math code around 1946

The first official Nemeth Code Book was published in 1952 by the American Printing House for the Blind

With a few minor updates, Nemeth continues to be the primary Braille mathematics code used by North American blind students today

Page 3: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Perkins and Mountbatten Brailler Writers

Over the years, blind students have used Braille writers to produce mathematical expressions on paper

Braille writers are still an invaluable tool for blind students learning math because many mathematical concepts are spatial

Page 4: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Disadvantages of Braille Writers

Heavy - difficult to transport

Noisy, (Electronic Braille writers somewhat quieter)

The most important drawback for students is...

Page 5: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Translating Braille into Print

Traditionally, teachers of the visually impaired or Braillists have provided inline translations

In K-12, math teachers must wait until this translation is performed before they can view a student's work

In college, Nemeth Braille transcribers are difficult or impossible to find

Page 6: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Using Notetakers

In the past, only the most basic concepts could be easily expressed using a notetaker such as the BrailleNote to write and print mathematical expressions,

My Dear Aunt Sue:

Multiplication, Division, Addition,& Subtraction

For more advanced mathematical concepts, such as fractions and radicals, some form of notation would have to be invented and understood by both the student and teacher

Page 7: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

A Better Alternative:

Page 8: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

TeXnicCenter LaTeX Editor

Page 9: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Putting the Pieces Together

Create a Braille

document on the

notetaker

Page 10: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Nemeth Braille Tips

When writing Nemeth Braille, be certain to switch to Computer Braille on the BrailleNote. This can be done by pressing Backspace with Dots 2,4,5.

(When not writing in Nemeth Braille, either Grade I or contracted Grade II Braille should be used.)

To switch back to Grade I Braille from Nemeth,

press Backspace with Dot 1.

To switch back to Grade II Braille from Nemeth,

press Backspace with Dots 1,2.

Page 11: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Translation Rules

Leave a blank line before and after each problem. This will assist the Nemetex back translator in identifying errors if present.

Leave a blank line after any headings at the top of the file.

If the letter "A" or "I" is used as a mathematical variable, and is not immediately preceded or followed by a math symbol, it should be preceded by a letter sign, Dots 5,6.

Page 12: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Saving a Document

Once the document is ready to be translated, it should be saved to an external memory card or thumb drive.

To save, press Space with S, Dots 2,3,4.

Press Backspace twice until the "Drive?" prompt is shown, Space down to the memory card or thumb drive you will be using, and press Enter.

When "Folder Name?" is shown, either type in a folder name, or press Enter to not use a subfolder.

Page 13: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Saving a Document (continued)

Document Name?" will be shown. The file type being saved must be changed to ASCII before a filename can be entered. Press Backspace with X, Dots 1,3,4,6, until "Create an ASCII text file" is shown.

Now, type in a filename, and press Enter.

"Open the new document after saving?" is shown. Press N to skip this step, and the file will be saved.

Page 14: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Using Nemetex Nemeth Back-Translator

Open the Nemetex Back-Translator

Choose "Open" from the File Menu, or press Ctrl+O. Select the text file you saved from the BrailleNote, and press Enter.

Choose "Translate" from the Translate Menu, or press Ctrl+T. When the file translation is complete, click OK or press Space.

Choose "Save" from the File Menu or press Ctrl+S. Type in a filename, and press Enter. (LaTeX, .TEX, is already the default file type.)

Exit Nemetex from the File Menu or by pressing Alt+F4.

Page 15: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Using a Latex Editor

TeXnicCenter is a free LaTeX editor which will translate the .TEX document into an Adobe, .PDF. Other editors, such as Scientific Notebook, can also be used.

Choose "Open" from the File Menu or press Ctrl+O. Select the .TEX file created in Nemetex, and press Enter.

From the Build Menu, choose Current File, Build, and press Enter. The .PDF has now been created.

Exit TeXnicCenter from the File Menu or by pressing Alt+F4.

Page 16: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Seeing the Results

Open the memory card or

thumb drive, and

select the .PDF file

which was created.

Press Enter to open

this file in Adobe Reader.

Choose "Print" from the

File Menu for a print copy.

Page 17: Mathematics for Blind Students  in the Classroom

Questions?