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Workshops for Math and Tactile Graphics

Workshops and training sessions related to match and tactile graphics

Workshops for Math and Tactile Graphics

The Audio Graphing Calculator (AGC): Let’s See and Hear What This Self-Voicing Graphing Calculator Can and Cannot Do!

Presenter: Susan Osterhaus, Math Consultant, TSBVI Outreach Programs
Audience: Math Instructors, Teachers of the Visually Impaired, Paraprofessionals
Length of Training: 1 day

Want to know what an Audio Graphing Calculator (AGC) can and cannot do?  In this workshop you will learn how to navigate the various screen pages and understand what each feature permits.  You will have opportunities to graph a few functions by inserting equations and plotting points, listen to their audiowaves, and print/emboss the resulting graphs.  We will also work with matrices and explore the evaluator screen.  Finally, we will test the usefulness of the AGC in solving sample algebra problems.  This training requires access to computers with AGC installed on them; Susan can help workshop hosts who need help in providing this set-up for the workshop.

Computer Generated Tactile Graphics Using MS Word for Hardcopy Production on Tiger Embosser or by Encapsulated Paper Devices (TIE or PIAF)

Presenter: Cecilia Robinson, Education Consultant, TSBVI Outreach Programs
Audience: Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, Braillist
Length of Training: ½ -1 day

Do you need support in creating computer generated tactile graphics? This is a hands-on training where participants will learn how to produce graphics by using MS Word 2003 or 2007 drawing features.

Creating Math Graphics Manually, as Your Student Would Do

Presenters: Susan Osterhaus, Math Consultant, TSBVI Outreach Programs
Audience: Math Teacher, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Paraprofessional or Parent
Length of Training: 1-2 days

Participants in this hands-on workshop will have the opportunity to learn to create 2- and 3-dimensional figures, draw and measure angles, create number-line graphs, graph on the coordinate planes, create a pictograph, and draw circles and a Venn diagram just as their student with low vision or blindness would do.  This workshop is ideal for a small group (6-10 individuals) of math teachers, teachers of students with visual impairments, paraprofessionals and/ or parents, to help them in supporting the student with visual impairments in math classes.

Scientific Notebook: Math Word Processor, Scientific Graphing Calculator, and Gateway to Nemeth Translation

Presenter: Susan Osterhaus, Outreach Math Consultant
Length of Training: 1 day (Hosts will need to provide a computer lab setting.)

Scientific Notebook (SNB) is a computer software program that is not accessible to a totally blind individual unless used with Voice Recognition Software. However, it is accessible to those with enough vision to benefit from SNB’s built-in enlargement features or through the use of external enlargement software. In this workshop, sighted participants will learn how to compose simple math materials using SNB, use SNB as a scientific graphing calculator, and prepare SNB documents for making large print copies and/or importation into Nemeth translation software (DBT WIN) for creating braille materials.

Tactile Graphics for Students with Visual Impairments

Presenters: TSBVI Outreach Programs Consultants
Audience: Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists, Paraprofessionals working with students with visual impairments, and Braillists
Length of training: 1 day minimum (up to 2 days for make-and-take)

Tactile graphics gives visually impaired students access to maps, charts, graphs, and other types of illustrations. This workshop presents a variety of techniques, both low tech and high tech, for producing tactile graphics, as well as some quick techniques using easily accessible materials.  Teaching strategies and information on the development of appropriate tactile skills is emphasized, and suggestions are also given for teaching students to make their own tactile graphics, a requirement for mastery of TEKS.

* This workshop may be offered as a make-and-take training.

Teaching Mathematics to Students with Visual Impairments (Early Childhood-Secondary)

Presenter: Susan Osterhaus, Math Consultant, TSBVI Outreach Programs
Audience: Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, Math Teachers, Paraprofessionals working with students with visual impairments, and Parents of students with visual impairments
Length of Training: 1 day for either Early Childhood /Elementary OR Middle /High School presentation. 2 days are required to cover both portions (ages early childhood thru high school).

Math instruction is critical for all students, but especially for students with visual impairments. This workshop will discuss the need for collaboration among the math teacher, teacher of students with visual impairments, paraprofessional, family and student.  The presenter begins with a brief description of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) content standards and how these standards apply across all grades from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.  A discussion about accessible math tools and technology (pre-kindergarten-grade 12) are shared to help participants learn to apply each of the NCTM content standards in their instruction.  Susan will take participants through a problem-solving activity with sample TAKS test items at the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and exit grade levels.

Ready to plan a workshop or training?

There are a number of workshops we can bring to your region during. We also would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with you.

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