Harnessing the Power of Technology to Support Mathematics

Harnessing the Power of Technology to Support Mathematics: Challenges, Solutions & The Future Dr Abi James Assistive Technology Consultant iansyst

The Challenges: Understanding & recognition of the student's difficulties

How many student's with Sp. LD are studying math or science? Science related subject

How many student's with Sp. LD are studying math or science? Science related subject

Other factors to consider n n n Identifying students who will struggle with the course requirements Understanding by students of the requirements of the course Departmental & Institutional change required n Use of technology, the web and different teaching styles

Learning Environment… Is varied for science students n n n n Lectures Tutorials Lab sessions Computer lab sessions In the field Work placements E-learning Library

Need… n Support for note taking n n n Support for proof-reading n n n For specialist language Diagrams, equations & mathematical notation Support for understanding & visualising mathematical concepts in an accessible format

The Challenges: Mathematical and scientific language

Mathematical Language… n n n Needs to be learned and manipulated by scientists, engineers & mathematicians. Symbols & expressions must be accurately recalled during lectures, exams, lab sessions & assignments. Support through technology does not bypass this knowledge requirement.

The Challenges: Integrating with existing technology

High user of technology n n n Many science students will be required to use computers & technology as part of their course Each course and department may use different systems Making each system and program accessible is challenging!

Technology Solutions

Existing Solutions… support with specialist language n n Spellex adds subject specific terminology into MS Word’s available for medical, pharmaceutical, legal, biotech, botanical, technical, geographical Wordbar provides a word bank for quickly entering phrases or keystrokes

Existing Solutions… support with specialist language But… n n Most resources have to be created for recreated for each student or course. They can not handle symbols or equations

Existing solutions… for note taking n n Need tools for digital storing of equations and graphics. Audio recordings do not work on there own. Tablet PCs, Webcams & digital cameras may provide solutions Word 2007 greatly improved equation entry

Existing solutions for note taking: Tablet PCs Windows XP plus ink facilities to write on screen. Enables users to: n n n Annotate Office documents Draw on screen Select, copy, paste & highlight using pen Convert handwriting to text Convert hand written equations to text!

Tablet PC software n n Equation Writer (part of MS Education pack) converts handwritten equation to text via clipboard. Maths Journal 2 (www. xthink. com) evaluates & converts hand written formula. Saves as Tex or Math. ML. One. Note will be included with Office 2007 Student Edition Write. On lets you annotate over any application

Microsoft One. Note

Existing solutions… for supporting writing Math. Talk with Dragon Naturally. Speaking & Scientific Notebook enables scientific notation to be dictated. n n n Good for writing reports but note taking User needs to be fluent in terminology and symbols Suits auditory learners and disadvantages visual learners

Existing solutions… for supporting reading & writing n n PDF or postscript file currently used by academics from La. Te. X OCR software don’t recognise equations Can convert from digital photos and screen captures. n Recognise some programming languages n n Equations can be read aloud if in Math. ML format – a version of html.

Need… n Academic staff to produce notes & worksheets in an accessible format n n n Currently produce PDF files Can be made accessible using PDF Accessibility Editor but time consuming Create html files with Math. ML equations – accessible to all.

The future… n n Digital cameras, webcams & mobile devices Office 2007

Contact details: Abi James Email: abi@dyslexic. com Iansyst Fen House Fen Road Cambridge CB 4 1 UN Tel: 01223 420101 Web: www. dyslexic. com www. iansyst. co. uk www. itspc. co. uk