Part 2: Assistive Tech in the Math Classroom. See notes below.
Use Adobe Acrobat Pro, version 8 and up, to Scan and convert Math worksheets to PDFs. Enable the typewriter so that students can write on the PDF using their computer. They can use the comment and markup toolbar to insert comments, draw diagrams, etc. Students do not have to have the Pro version, only the free Adobe Reader.
Use PowerPoint to create presentations with one problem per page. Students work in edit/layout mode and therefore can move images around, add text, etc. Remove background from the images first (make transparent; easy click of the mouse in Word and PPT).
Microsoft Equation Editor Menus - see images of button menus available in Word. In Word, go to Insert > Equation (in Symbol group). I just fiddled around with is for a bit with Word 07 and find that the Equation Editor is much easier to use than last time I used it with Word 03.
Microsoft Excel conditional formatting. Put problem in column A, they put the answer in column B. Use conditional formatting to make the correct answer be green, the incorrect answer be red. Conditional formatting is found from Home > Conditional formatting (in styles group). This allows students to self-check their work.
Fast Rabbit Software's Talking Calculator is a computer calculator that talks and is large, works nicely. $10.
Math websites:
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
Math Forum
Mathstories
Closing thought of presenter: Goal of assistive technology is to make students more independent. If the tool does not do that, it is the wrong one.
The day is over and I have picked up a few tricks that I'll be able to share with teachers in my district (and beyond). I'm extremely disappointed that web-based tools and resources were not even mentioned until the last five minutes. I know there are plenty out there, available for free. Hopefully more emphasis will be placed on online (and especially collaborative web 2.0) tools tomorrow.
It's really a good idea. But I have one question, usually we can not edit a PDF file in Adobe Reader, how can students write on the PDF using their computer? Besides, Adobe Acrobat Pro is expensive. Why not convert the PDF to Word so that everyone can easily do their homework or paper? You can try the Anybizsoft PDF to Word converter,it's free.
ReplyDelete@Pam - Thanks for highlighting how Acrobat can be used in the classroom, Pam. I've linked to your article from here:
ReplyDeletehttp://blogs.adobe.com/acrobat/
http://twitter.com/acro_dave/status/2350623290
@Melvin - If you have Acrobat, you can enable Reader users to add comments or type text on top of your PDF file. All they need is the free Reader. See here:
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Acrobat/9.0/Professional/WS8F17CB6D-B39D-4cf6-8060-7907C1AC53F7.w.html
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Acrobat/9.0/Professional/WS2DE764BD-5706-4e3a-9360-5F2F968223AC.w.html
I think one advantage that Pam is highlighting is that you can scan your existing paper worksheets into PDF and then let students type right on top of that worksheet using the free Adobe Reader. You retain the look and layout of your paper worksheet, but you've just made the workflow electronic!
Dave Stromfeld
Acrobat Product Manager
Adobe Systems
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