This video presentation shows strategies for fully including students with disabilities in science and math activities. Science and math teachers who view this video will become better prepared to create an inclusive learning environment and accommodate students with disabilities.
http://www.washington.edu/doit/Video/winequ.html
Math Type is a program that creates mathematical notation for word processing, web pages, desktop publishing, and presentations. It contains more symbols and templates that the standard equation editor. Math Type appears to be very appropriate for high school level math and chemistry classes.
For sample templates and activities that have been created using Math Type go here:
http://www.adeptscience.co.uk/products/mathsim/mathtype/samples/index.html
You can get a free 30 day trial at:
http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathtype/default.htm
Lately there has been a lot of discussion about accessible instructional materials. This article is great because it highlights the challenges that are faced for making sure that math texts are accessible by all. As you know, math equations are not always easily recognized by text to speech programs. Here is an excerpt from the article by Steve Noble, Director of Accessibility Policy Design Science:
The use of digital texts, however, has been largely focused on providing access to standard literary materials, rather than to math content. Higher level math access with assistive technologies is particularly problematic, due to the fact that common scanning and optical character recognition (OCR) technologies used to convert print materials to digital form cannot process complex math symbols, and publisher created digital resources commonly use inaccessible graphical images of math equations.
Read the entire article at:
Here is a fun way to explain math concepts to students. Written on an older elementary level but the story is appropriate to students exploring geometry and algebra facts this series is another way to help students visualize math concepts. Check these titles out by by Cindy Neuschwander and Wayne Geehan,they are available through Amazon for under $12.00
Sir Cumference and the Isle of Immeter
Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table
Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi
Sir Cumference and the Sword in the Cone
Use the conditional formatting tool in excel to create a self checking activity for your students. The possibilities are endless. A definition can be entered into one cell and the student will be asked to type in the corresponding vocabulary word into the blank cell. By selecting conditional formatting from the format menu you can format the cell to turn green if the correct word is entered. Then format the cell to turn red if the word is not correct. The same procedures can apply for entering algebra or other math equations. Thanks to Tammy Worcester from ESSDACK in Kansas for this wonderful tip.
Assistive Technology, Inc. has published a new software bundled to assess and teach early numeracy skills, including number sense. Stages Math: Number Sense was created using the principles of Universal Design, allowing for multiple modes of access and response. The programs can be customized to provide prompting, graphical support, help buttons etc. to support students as they are learning. The software not only assesses, but can be used for instruction. “Use the software every day--the questions are never the same!” Check it out on the web http://www.assistivetch.com
Graph paper is beloved by many for its ability to keep us organized and in columns when we write numbers and letters. If this sounds like a sentiment you agree with, check out http://www.mathematicshelpcentral.com/graph_paper.htm for more than a dozen free graph paper options as well as a freeware graph paper printer application!
Click on http://home.freeuk.net/elloughton13/scramble1.htm for a pretty good online version of math magnets. Warning: requires some mouse control and avoid using the place value board for calculating (it has no zero).
News from Washington! Read "Visually Impaired Students Study Math Using Innovative Software: Sighted kids also benefit from hearing equations via MathTrax program."
MathTrax is a graphing tool for middle school and high school students to graph equations, physics simulations or plot data files. The graphs have descriptions and sound so you can hear and read about the graph. Blind and low vision users can access visual math data and graph or experiment with equations and datasets.
To read the article, click on this impossibly long URL: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m=December&x=200712041642461CJsamohT0.8393061.
You can access the MathTrax website at http://prime.jsc.nasa.gov/mathtrax.
Big Calculator is a large calculator for Windows produced by Sensory Software. You can either click on the buttons with the mouse or use the numeric keypad to perform calculations. The size of the calculator buttons is determined by the width of the calculator window thus making it easy to adjust the size of the calculator. In addition, verbal feedback is given if SAPI 4.0 speech is installed on your computer. To download and read more go to:
Checkout the Visual Search Mode of the VCU T/TAC online library. Icons are used as search buttons for categories or subject areas. Selecting the Assistive Technology search button opens up several other search buttons for easy “one-touch” searching for AT items, software or helpful links. If you would like to checkout AT Library items call us at 800-426-1595 and ask for our library, or come by the VCU T/TAC at 10 E. Franklin St in Richmond.
Continue reading "Using Visual Search Mode for Assistive Technology on VCU T/TAC Online Library" »
It's been awhile since I ventured into the Crayola section of the store since my children are far beyond that stage, but recently I discovered several Crayola tools that now have that universal design feel. I'm especially excited about the audio ruler. Crayola Total Tools Audio Ruler measures out loud! This talking tool measures in quarter inch increments up to one foot with a thin line of disappearing ink. The ink helps to ensure that the measurement is what you wanted. Choose to hear the accurate measurement or a silly nonsensical measurement just for fun! Isn't this neat.
Also check out the erasable highlighters, ultimate cutter, and glue roller. All of these tools have wonderful grips to accomodate students with fine motor issues. Go to Crayola's website and check them out or go browse the Crayola isle of your favorite store.
http://www.crayola.com/products/splash/tools/TotalTools/index.cfm
The Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd) and the National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI) have made available two databases that present evidence for the use of products and technologies that support the instruction of reading and mathematics for students with special needs. Click on http://www.techmatrix.org to reach both of them.
A few of the categories used to rate products: Adjustable Difficulty, Customizable by User Profile, Font Control, Response Time, Prompt Time, Input Mouse/Touchscreen, Switch, Text to Speech Reads the Problem, Corrective, Approximate Grade Level.
Click on http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities to see 137 math activities for a single student or pair of students, ranging from elementary to postsecondary math. Once there, click on the Instructor tab to see directions and standards connections. For example, the game "Arithmetic Four" has this description:
This activity allows two users to play a game of estimation where each player tries to connect four game pieces in a row before his or her opponent does. The players can choose to answer problems involving whole number and integer addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They can also choose the difficulty level and the number of players. This activity would work well in groups of 2 for about 25-30 minutes if you use the exploration questions and 15-20 minutes otherwise.
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html is a great resource for all students-easy for students with limited mobility as well as students without mobility difficulties. Try the "complete the pattern" application (http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_184_g_1_t_1.html)--it's fun! (My second favorite is the Sieve of Eratosthenes at http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_158_g_1_t_1.html)
Clicking on the "Parent/Teacher" icon at the top of each page provides:
- Objectives
- Lesson Plan
- Extension
- Assessment
- Materials
- Cross References
Clicking on the "Standards" button takes you to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' Principles and Standards for School Mathematics page that correlates to the activity.
Click on http://www.exceptionalcomputing.com/curriculum_sharing.htm and explore Kristen Haugen's curriculum ideas. Materials include:
Multiple Intelligences and Technology
Activities for Single Switch Toys and Appliances
Strategies Using Low Cost Voice Output
KidPix Worksheet Ideas
Math Focus: Money Magic
Developing a Thematic Unit with Accessible Activities
Thematic Unit Planning Outline
Brainstorm for a "Trains" Theme
Math software can be very expensive and good programs are pretty rare. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) has done a great job of making over 90 online practice games available for preK-12 learning across the math strands.
Check out http://illuminations.nctm.org/Activities.aspx?grade=3&srchstr=fraction for an example of middle school fraction activities, and http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivitySearch.aspx to conduct your own activity search.
Check out http://www.ldonline.org/article/13709 for an article on Dyscalculia with some suggestions for supporting students with math disabilities. Suggestions are practical and easy, such as: "Use graph paper for students who have difficulty organizing ideas on paper."
I can't do this site justice with my words- you'll just have to click and play: http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/
Here's what they say: "We have several fun online interactive activities here to help you...improve your mental maths skills...These pages are aimed at 7 -11 year olds. "
I had fun with division and multiplication...still playing...
Graph Club software is available for checkout from our AT lab. Here's what Graph Club is, according to the publisher's website (http://www.tomsnyder.com/products/product.asp?SKU=GRPV20):
! The Graph Club is an innovative, easy-to-use software tool for creating, exploring, interpreting, and printing graphs. The program's friendly, hands-on environment helps young students make the transition from graphing with manipulatives to graphing in the abstract. As students create and compare up to five different graph types, they develop essential graphing and math skills.MEETS STATE AND NATIONAL STANDARDS
Your students will: Formulate questions that can be addressed with data
Collect,organize,and display data to answer questions
Represent data using five different graph types: picture, bar, circle, and line graphs, plus tables
Compare different representations of the same data
Describe parts of the data and the set of data as a whole
Product Features Easily create picture, bar, circle, and line graphs, plus tables
Over 100 standards-aligned,ready-made activities in math, science,social studies, and language arts
Reproducible assessment tools including rubrics, checklists, and sample graphs
450 built-in symbols - or import and save your own
On-screen notebook with audio recorder lets students describe their graphs orally or in writing
Graph up to 12 categories with a scale of up to 1,000
A built-in, animated tutorial guides teachers and students step-by-step through the program's features
The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) serves as a special public school in the continuum of statewide placements for students who have a visual impairment and has some really nice materials available on the website. Click on http://www.tsbvi.edu/math/teaching.htm for the best list of math strategies for students with VI that I have seen! Topics include:
Collaborative/Inclusive Strategies
Challenges in Teaching Mathematics to the Visually Impaired
Arithmetic Calculation Using the Braillewriter
Solving Quadratic Equations
Solving Systems of Equations in Three Variables
Linear Measure, Perimeter, and Area
Transformations, Line Symmetry, and Tessellations
Geometric Constructions
Teaching a blind student how to graph on a coordinate plane: No tech, low tech, and high tech tools
While at the recent Closing the Gap conference I attended a session hosted by Boston Public Schools Access Technology Center, the developers of the SAM model for AT delivery. One of the many documents that was presented to the participants was a guide of math supports for diverse learners. This guide contains many strategies that can be used when teaching math lessons that incorporate the learning styles of multiple students. It is a great guide for trying to design lesson plans under a UDL framework. Download the file now:
Many of you are regular visitors to www.ldonline.org, a well-know website loaded with information for students, families and professionals regarding a variety of issues related to serving students with learning disabilities. It was originally started by Richard Wanderman, a well known educational consultant, presenter and successful adult with learning disabilities, who also happens to be a technology wiz. The site now contains lists of tools, schools, organizations and professionals and other resources for the LD community as well as new articles and commentaries. Richard has now developed a blog with his colleague David Clark, a well-know web accessibility consultant and successful adult with cerebral palsy. Richard has presented several assistive technology workshops for our TechKnowledgy Conference and is an amazing source of information. His creative and practical use of technology is helpful to students and adults with learning disabilities and the families and professionals who support them. We suggest that you check out his new blog at www.ldresources.org!
I recently found this great website for interactive math activities. Many of the acitivies are appropriate for secondary math teachers but some are also great for elementary teachers. Check out the area on probability.
The 4-in-1 Activity Center from SuperDuper Inc. is a great tool that includes a magnetic board, card holder, mirror, and write-on/wipe-off board. Click this link to see a full-sized flyer with the many uses of this tool:
View image
Interested in checking out the 4-in-1 Activity Center for 3 weeks and trying it with your students? Contact our Region 8 AT lab toll-free at 866-465-0412 and let us know!
Need a link to our library and AT lab? Click here: http://www.vcu.edu/ttac/Library/Library.htm
If a student writes slowly, you are probably considering a range of assistive technology devices and skill-building sequences. In addition, however, you may want to try one of these quick fixes:
1. Start adding word banks to your fill-in-the-blank/cloze worksheets and notes. Place a number in front of each word or phrase in the word bank and instruct the student to place only the number in the space, not the word or phrase.
2. Write word banks on a sticky note and try #1 above.
3. Write the answers on separate small sticky notes and stick them all to one piece of blank paper. Instruct the student to place each sticky note in the correct space on the worksheet.
4. Use rubber stamps to respond (easiest when few stamps would be needed--short math problems, etc.).
Use the dry erase marker to sketch a graph and write questions directly on it—errors don’t matter since the line is easily erased and redrawn.
Use the axes to graph results from survey or other data! Cling film sticks to the board, and stamps can be used on the board if you use dry erase stamp pad ink.
Students can hold up their answers to be checked at a glance! They can pass a challenge question on to the next student!
Flip the board over and the blank side can be used for other individual response and participation activities.
Our AT Lab has one set of 30 of these light and flexible X-Y coordinater grid markerboards for checkout, complete with markers. Do you teach in Central Virginia and are you interested in checking this set out of our AT Lab for a few weeks to use in your classroom? Call us at 800-426-1595 and ask for our library, or come by the VCU T/TAC at 10 E. Franklin St in Richmond!
We know that Hundreds Charts are one of the essential tools in early math instruction--counting, sequencing, fractions, decimals, percents, basic manipulative use, the Sieve of Eratosthenes!
Save some time and use this Microsoft Word version of a Hundreds Chart: print it, laminate it, project it, whatever you can think of! Click on this link to download the chart: Download file
Here's an example of virtual highlighting:
Idea: To find least common multiple of 8 and 6, highlight the multiples of 6 in yellow--when you hit one that should be both blue AND yellow, make it green! That's a common multiple!
You might want to pre-highlight one (8s or 6s) and have students do the other. Other ideas?
The Virtual Vine is a great website for teachers of students in preK-2 or any of us focusing on early learning skills. The webmaster, Cindy, has 19 years experience as a Special Education Resource Teacher, teaching range of students with mild to significant cognitive disabilities. Hew website, http://www.thevirtualvine.com, is full of great ideas for centers using no tech and low/light tech manipulatives.
Here's an example of one:
Counting by 2s, 5s, & 10s: I use my number chart and "highlighter tape" to help my students see the patterns of counting by 2s, 5s, & 10s. The highlighter tape is actually cling on bookcovers that I purchased by the box at Office Depot. You just cut the film to the size you need, then it easily sticks and and can be easily removed without any sticky residue. Eventually dust and grime will get stuck to the back, so you just throw it away and cut new pieces. I've been using the same box for years!
Click here to visit the math section of her site and see her hundreds chart with "highlights" http://www.thevirtualvine.com/math.html
A great way to prompt any and all students during choral response counting activities!
The Palm Beach County Schools Dept of Exceptional Student Education has posted the SETT framework questions as a considerations document that can be completed and shared by IEP team members. Check out http://www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us/Records/PDF/1859.pdf.
The areas of handwriting, reading, math, learning/study skills, and computer access are included in the considerations form, with a multitude of suggestions for students and their IEP teams to try (Magic Rub erasers, highlighter tape). A column in the document is provided to evaluate effectiveness.
If you provide a small, magnetic wipe-off board to each student in the class, students can interact with concepts and practice skills in the large group with little concern for making big mistakes! In addition to acting as individual response boards for informal student assessment, the small dry-erase boards can be used for sorting and classifying.
For instance, the class discusses what the word "freedom" means, and students are asked to provide examples of freedom. On their small markerboards, they draw a picture or write a few words to illustrate the concept of "freedom." Students can erase as much as they want, use dry-erase stamp sets, and use peel-off stickers. The teachers can redirect and guide students as they work. Students then stick their magnetic boards to the main board and explain to the class what they wrote or illustrated. When it comes time to sort the boards into personal freedom and public/group freedom, any student can move the concepts around in the way they think is best, with no need to write--just re-stick on the board under a different heading! Also, no "error" or changed decision is difficult because the markerboard can simply be moved under a different hearding. The resulting graphic organizer can be copied down by students or could easily be digitally photographed, photocopied, and added to student notebooks.
Boone makes 5"x8" markerboards that are also magnetic and come in sets of 4, so 6 sets would outfit most classrooms. Want to make your own? Try laminating large index cards and sticking heavy-duty business card-sized magnets (available at office supply stores cheaply) to the back.
Tech4Learning has a wonderful resource, Recipe4Success, for supporting teachers and students using technology in the classroom. This resource includes software tutorials and guides for particular features, tools for creating graphic organizers or rubrics, as well as a multitude of many other resources available for free once your subscribe. This resource will save you lots of time and will allow your students to become more self-directed learners and better cooks! You need to check it out! Go to http://www.myt4l.com/
Recently we searched for a graphing calculator (such as the TI-83/84/89) that has large keys...the bad news (and ideas for dealing with the issue) comes from CATEA, the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (http://www.catea.org/quickrefguides/guides/Calculators.php):
This is a highly sought product that, unfortunately, is not yet available. The only current option is to use a computer-based program that emulates the calculator, along with an appropriate keyboard. Computer software options include:- TI InterActive! is a software version of the TI-83 graphing calculator. It is available from Texas Instruments for about $50.
- The Larsen Interactive Pre-calculus CD ROM series includes tutorials for algebra, college algebra, trigonometry and pre-calculus. All CD-ROM's have a built-in graphing calculator with TI82 or TI83 functions as part of the package. It is available from Houghton Mifflin Company.
Is there a way that I could feel a graph?
Products exist that convert mathematical data and forms to tactile form. The following are a few examples.
Geometry Tactile Graphics Kit is a set of raised line drawings depicting concepts, figures, and relationships covered in geometry texts. The drawings are embossed in thermoform plastic, and are available from American Printing House for the Blind.
Generate a graph on a scientific graphing calculator program such as Graph-It, then emboss an image of the graph using a braille embosser.
Interesting posting on the website for Sabine Parish, LA: A quick checklist for determining student-specific modifications (http://www.sabine.k12.la.us/standards/CSmchecklis.htm). Some good ideas for us AT-minded folks!
Only one note: many of the "modifications" they list are things I would see not as modifications, but as accommodations or simply differentiated or alternate instruction...
...because we can't stop brainstorming uses for the wax-covered yarn and are so glad to see even more ideas posted online at wikkistix.com:
...and the manufacturer's site now posts occupational therapy uses for the cool light-tech learning tools (http://www.wikkistix.com/otuses.htm) as well as general educational uses (http://www.wikkistix.com/educational.htm).
Many districts have money to spend on AT right now, and with more students aiming for standard diplomas down the road, some of that AT money is probably going be spent on content-focused material.
If you are looking for some good math software, for SOL content in grades 1-6, check out the following online software review article. "Electronic Resources - Using Mathematics Software to Enhance Elementary Students’ Learning" is a well-written and researched article available in the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) online journal (http://my.nctm.org/eresources/view_article.asp?article_id=6479&page=1). The authors included screen shots of many of the titles they review.
Added bonus: This is software that meets the needs of many students with disabilities while still being appropriate for all students! A great way to create centers that are automatically leveled to each student's math needs.
Some of the software referred to:
Building Perspectives Deluxe.
The Cruncher 2.0.
Data Explorer.
Factory Deluxe.
Fathom Dynamic Statistics.
The Geometer’s Sketchpad.
The Graph Club 2.0 Deluxe.
Graphers.
Green Globs and Graphing Equations.
How the West Was One + Three x Four.
Math Arena.
Math Munchers Deluxe.
Oregon Trail.
Zoombinis Logical Journey.
Multiplication "War"
Split a deck of playing cards between 2 people.
Flip over the top card of each deck simultaneously.
The first one to say the fact based on the cards turned over (a four and a five = Say "20") gets the cards.
The person to get the most cards wins!
Adaptations:
- Keep a multiplication table out for beginners to refer to when they start playing.
- Take turns with a short timer; if the person whose turn it is doesn't get the answer right (based on multiplication table or other strategy), the other person can steal it!
Keep pace with Miss Dixon at her blog, http://inclusion-in-mathematics.blogspot.com/. She is posting all summer about the nuts and bolts of helping kids learn in inclusive middle school mathematics classes . Benefit from her knowledge--down in Alabama, even warmer than we have it here!--and offer your own specialized AT knowledge by posting comments to her blog!
How many of us have thrown up our hands in despair at reading an accommodation on a student's IEP that indicates the need for "hands-on activities and manipulatives" in our Middle School Math or Algebra class? Fear not! Donna Roberts provides a way that Algebra tiles can be easily (and cheaply) constructed and distributed to an entire class on her website http://regentsprep.org/Regents/math/teachres/ttiles.htm. These Algebra tiles allow students to manipulate a range of problems, and Ms. Roberts offers links to activities that use the Algebra tiles to address concepts including signed numbers, the distributive property, adding and subtracting polynomials, and quadratic equations.
As an added bonus, Ms. Roberts notes,
Many of the commercial versions of algebra tiles are made from plastic and possess a "projectile" quality. I have found that the homemade tiles are seldom "airborne" since they are aerodynamically deficient.
Happy Tiling!
We just opened up a box of these Flexitables today and had some fun manipulating them. Basically, the Flexitable is a thin grid that has vertical and horizontal channels molded into soft PVC plastic--it feels like a shower curtain (and kind of smells like one, too!). You fold and unfold again and again to find equivalent fractions--decimals are printed on the other side.
For example, if you ask a student, "Your answer is 6/10. Is there any way to simplify that, by showing it with a smaller denominator? Check your Flexitable!" The student would fold the table until only six of the 1/10 squares showed on the grid. Looking up the grid, they would see that folding the table that way left exactly three of the 1/5 squares. So, 6/10 = 3/5!
This gives students a chance to get a solid conceptual basis before moving to the symbolic level, as well as helps the students to review the concepts when they are in the symbolic level.