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Mathematics for Blind Students in the Classroom

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

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Mathematics for Blind Students in the Classroom

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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Disadvantages of Braille Writers • Heavy - difficult to transport • Noisy, (Electronic Braille writers somewhat quieter) • The most important drawback for students is...

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. A Better Alternative:

  8. TeXnicCenter LaTeX Editor

  9. Putting the Pieces Together • Create a Braille document on the notetaker

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. Questions?

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