Category: Cram Session
I am hav ing issues with math class the techer puts pictures in my notes and with the tests we have to show our work to solve the problwms. How do I go about dointhis with a scribe and reader? And how do i do the math homework on a computer I have never done stuff like exponents and vertically solving problems on a computer I have also never used audio as a means for doing math. How do you explain to teachers that to do things like this takes more resourcces than you may have I do not have them so i turn to you. Is there an easier way to work with books in Kurzweil than to reread the text you have all ready read how do you use the book mark feature and how can I find certain information in a chapter? I am so unfamiliar with all of this I wish my school for the blind had prepared me for this. But they didnt knhow I can say that psychology and writing are easier freshman siminar isn't as accessible as i would like theydo not have a lot of stuff where i can do it. they did a scavenger through t e catalog and i couldnt tell a lot fr the activity because the only accessible catalog is online and i cant connect to the net in that room to access the network and wireless wasnt available and the online one isnt that friendly either. How can i explain all of this in a simple form to them meaning my computer needs and all the text only link labeling I am so lost.o
Awww! It sounds like you are really stressed out over this. I too am taking a math class this semester and am going through some of what you are going through. Well, as for the professor inserting pictures in the notes, is it possible for you to meet with the professor to discuss your worries and concerns? I can usually spot the professors who need a talking to during the first couple days of class and always make a point of walking up to there desk after class and explain to them what I need from them. Most professors are glad to help and if you kindly let them know that explaining what they are doing on the board is essential, they will gladly comply. I too have never done my math homework on a computer before and am feeling a bit nervous about it. Here is my plan for completing it though. I don’t know how good your disabilities department is, but mine is excellent! That being the reason why I chose the college. We have a great computer lab that is always staffed and I plan to use it to do my homework. If I have trouble with scientific notation, I can always ask for help. I am lucky enough this year to get a math book in Braille. Although it is a couple of editions back, my professor and I have talked things over and she will meet with me a few minutes after class to let me know what pages are in line with her book. Remember, communicating with your professors and the Disabilities Department is very important! But if you need someone who can understand your situation with whom you can talk to, I am always here. Just private message me or something and I’ll try to help as best I can! Hope this helps and good luck with math this semester!
*sexy*
Hmm, I had to invest my own system when I was taking math classes in college, I took quite a few but mostly statistics or linear algebra and I used Mat Lab for that.
Most importantly, talk to the professor. If you have a disability resource office have them step in and may be have a meeting between yourself, the professor and someone from that office so they can help you explain what your limitations are. See if they're willing to pay someone to be your reader who either is a mathstudent (grad for preference) or kows math very well so he/she understands the challenges that you're facing and can hep device solutions. You also need to have someone explain graphs and lines to you sometimes with sometihing you can feel like special drawing or just rubber band and some nails or something, it helps when you can visualize some of the concepts in your head but basically, get the professor involved if you at all can and take it from there.
Some who have good disabilities centers at their schools are very lucky. Mine is shitty for its available resources...Now as for math. Well, the first thing I'm going to say relates to any subject, but I don't just talk to the professors who seem to need it or those I'm going to have trouble with their subjects, but I talk to all professors within the first couple of days. That away my own human judgement isn't required to know if I'm going to have trouble or not. Another thing is, for describing your work simply say something like, "Ok, now subtract ... from ... and the answer is ... and goes ...". Make since? The "...'s" was for any numbers to be inserted. I find I have to do this with accounting classes to; that away my work is shown there too. *smile* As for your books, I much prefer having e-books or braille, and if at all possible will not accept an audio version of the book because I find math and audio just don't work well together...
yah, im gona have the same problem.
I remember having a thermo pen when i was in elementry school.
but im worried because i can't do graphs. im taking principles of economics and language in the fall.
Readers, Readers, Readers. Readers are the key. Showing work isn't all that hard. You don't have to show them the carrying, just the different results that you got at each step. For example, if you were adding 12 and 19 as part of a problem, you wouldn't have to show that you added 2 and 9 and got 11, then put a 1 in the ones place and carried a 1 into the tens place, added 10 and 10 from the origional 12 and 19 to get 20 and then added in the 10 from the 11 to get thirty. You would just write 12 plus 19 equals 31, for that step of the problem. The only reason that a professor asks you to show work is so that they can see how you thought out the problem. If you get a wrong answer on a test, but followed six out of the required eight steps correctly, they can give you partial credit for the problem. Also if you show your work they can see very easily where your mistakes are, and quickly bring them to your attention so that you can address them. If you are working with a scribe, you must use your own judgement as to what to have them put down for you. If you get the problem 3X plus 4 equals 16 you just tell them to write down each level of the problem as you figure it out on your Braille writer, slate or in your head. You would just tell them, "Ok, write, 3X plus 4 equals 16. Now write 16 minus 4 equals 12, now 3X equals 12, now 12 devided by 3 equals 4, and finally X equals 4. The arrows that show that 4 was subtracted from both sides, and that show both sides being devided by 3 aren't neccessary, if you simply show small simple equations at each level. The arrows are only one way, and a very visual way at that, of showing work, as is carrying and virtical displaying. If your professor has more than fluff between their ears then they will understand exactly what you mean, and how you were thinking. Also, interaction is very important. If you have a question ask. Don't be afraid that you will look stupid. Other people might have the same question, or it could be simply that the professor wasn't clear enough. That will make them look foolish, if nothing else, not you. Also, although you may be able to just sit and listen during English or Psychology classes, you should always have a slate, or a note taker with a Braille display, or if all else fails a big old clunky Braille writer in math class. Writing out the problems and rewriting each step will help you keep the numbers and steps strait. Then when what you write doesn't jive with what the professor has on the boared you can find your own mistakes by reviewing the problem in it's entirety.
Wow! college was several years ago for me, but I have some strong opinions on this subject. I think it up to each of us, and not necessarilly the Disabilities Office to make the first contact with the professor. I'm not saying to use the services of the office. I didn, and worked for them when I was in udergrad and grad school. I'm saying that if you communicate directly with the professor, preferably prior to the semester, it gives you a chance to see how receptive he/she is going to be to working with you, and if you can work with him/her. It also puts you in a position of power, because you're the one taking charge of your own learning. Finding a reader who knows the subject is essential in non-text subjects like math, music, or sciences. You need to have the expertise available. As was said earlier, ask the professor for suggestions, or talk with Tutorial Services to find someone. Disability offices run really good and really bad with everything in between, so depending on your school, you'll have to make that call. Taking notes is crucial in all subjects, as many profs give you the book fo a paperweight, or because they might get a kickback on number-of-books sold or something <g>. God luck!