Dani,
Here is my two cents worth:
I have used Scientific Notebook as a demo and found it to be more
difficult to enter problems into than Duxbury! Perhaps you will have
more success in scanning than I have, but it doesn't sound like the best
way to go. I work at a public high school and have had to braille
Algebra I, II, III, geometry and physics. This is my suggestion:
For linear algebra, perhaps scanning will work. It will also work to
copy or import a file into duxbury from a word document or similar
software. Just remember to select Layout, Math Code, Technical Context
BEFORE you import or paste anything into your new Duxbury file. Edit
from here in six key mode. Proofread because things will not all be
correct.
You can also begin a document in duxbury by typing in all of the handout
that you can in print format. Then translate, and complete in six key.
But you do need to know the Nemeth. (Sounds like you could learn along
with the student, if the first few things you are doing are vertical
addition and subtraction.) Use the Nemeth Braille Code For Mathematics
and Science Notation 1972 Revison for reference so you know you are
doing it correctly. I refer to it almost daily. Or go on line to find
some summaries of the Nemeth Code. (Try the Texas School for the Blind
site for some ideas.)
The six key entry mode in duxbury is a breeze compared to trying to use
codes in print mode, or compared to Scientific Notebook, in my opinion.
You have to know correct Nemeth anyway to proofread your work. So I
find it is easier to practice and use it just like your student.
Things to watch out for: Nemeth page numbers go on the bottom, not the
top. Parentheses are not dots 2356, but are dots 12356 and 23456.
Don't use letter indicators unless you are in a literary sentence.
Numeric indicators are sometimes omitted as well, according to very
specific rules. Comma is dot six, unless it follows a word. Runover
rules, indentation, and line spacing rules are also important.
Maybe that was more or less than two cents worth, but... I love using
Nemeth Code, and can only encourage you to work with it to appreciate
its beauty.
Sandy Rathjen
res1hx2n@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Hi, George. Thanks for the info on S/N. Rather than fuss with the school and all the red tape, I'll call Duxbury and get it myself. Red tape can, and no doubt will, take months to untangle, and my student officially starts the class in less than two weeks. S/N will go a long way toward saving my sanity. I have a limitted knowledge of Nemoth myself, and having to figure out where I am on the computer screen in order to place the numbers where they will need to be won't be an easy thing. Where math's concerned, I'll take the Perkins any day. *grin* Will be interested in whatever dialog comes about.
Thanks, Dani
-----Original Message----- From: duxuser-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:duxuser-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of George Bell Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2003 10:55 PM To: duxuser@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [duxuser] Re: Duxbury and Math
Hi Dani,
Your question will no doubt open up quite a dialog and, since my knowledge of maths braille could be written, in braille, on my thumbnail, I'll revert to the easy way out, which you may wish to consider in the longer term as the maths requirement becomes more complex. (And also when DBT 10.4 comes out)
Scientific Notebook is a mathematical desk top publishing package, which at $49 educational, doesn't usually break the school budget. (See http://www.mackichan.com/ for full details) You can get a fully working one month evaluation copy either by download, or on CD.
The files created by S/N can be imported into DBT and translated. In addition, it is an excellent package in so much as it can be used in main-stream printed school work, and can also produce Large Print maths if needs be.
I would stress now that DBT's Scientific Notebook Importer has been further enhanced for DBT 10.5, and I believe it will be a powerful feature and benefit for anyone needing to produce maths braille, in a hurry, and with a limited knowledge of the overall subject.
George Bell.
-----Original Message----- From: Dani Lynn Uesato [mailto:res1hx2n@xxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: 27 August 2003 09:09 To: duxuser@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi, Everyone. I have to transcribe math worksheets for a ninth-grade student. The ones I've seen so far have problems written vertically. I would be scanning the worksheets in. How should I handle things where Duxbury goes? So far it's only addition and subtraction. But during the year the class will be covering fractions and such. Thanks in advance for any input.
Dani
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