ERIC Number: EJ1070086
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 28
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1069-1898
EISSN: N/A
Assistive Technologies for Second-Year Statistics Students Who Are Blind
Erhardt, Robert J.; Shuman, Michael P.
Journal of Statistics Education, v23 n2 2015
At Wake Forest University, a student who is blind enrolled in a second course in statistics. The course covered simple and multiple regression, model diagnostics, model selection, data visualization, and elementary logistic regression. These topics required that the student both interpret and produce three sets of materials: mathematical writing, computer programming, and visual displays of data. While we did find scattered resources for blind students taking mathematics courses or introductory statistics courses, we found no complete account of teaching statistical modeling to students who are blind. We also discovered some challenges in stitching together multiple partial solutions. This paper outlines our specific approach. We relied heavily on integrating the use of multiple existing technologies. Specifically, this paper will detail the extensive use of screen readers, LATEX, a modified use of R and the BrailleR package, a desktop Braille embosser, and a modified classroom approach.
Descriptors: Blindness, Statistics, College Mathematics, College Students, Statistical Analysis, Regression (Statistics), Programming, Technology Uses in Education, Educational Technology, Braille, Teaching Methods, Assistive Technology, Mathematics, Reading, Writing (Composition), Computer Software, Visual Stimuli
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: North Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A