1 MathPlus ToolBox, a computer application for learning basic math …

Short Description
of tools to help a student learn and practice basic math skills. The. Toolbox will run on a Windows 95 machine with a SAPI compliant. speech engine. …

Website: dots.physics.orst.edu | Filesize: 26kb

Content
Title of book. Name of Eds.
. 1997 IFIP. Published by Chapman & Hall
1
MathPlus ToolBox, a computer
application for learning basic math skills
C. Gardner
Linn-Benton Community College
630 N.W. 7th Street
Corvallis, OR 97330
USA
541 757-8944
FAX: 541-757-9537
ckg@dots.physics.orst.edu
R. Lundquist
Oregon State University
Physics Department
Science Access Project
Corvallis, OR 97331-6507
FAX: 541-737-1683
randyl@dots.physics.orst.edu
Abstract
The MathPlus ToolBox, a computer application, has been designed through a
collaborative effort of Carolyn Gardner and Randy Lundquist. The goal of
the project was to improve accessibility to math for students with disabilities.
Though there are many computer products which are claim to help students
learn math, many do not allow universal access. Often these products don’t
teach students the mathematical processes. The MathPlus ToolBox uses
graphics, sound and captioning so that all students have access to the concepts
being taught. There is a variety of tools to help a student learn and practice
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions.Keywords
MATHPLUS TOOLBOX, LEARNING DISABILITIES, TOOLS,
MATHEMATICS, COMPUTERS
1 INTRODUCTION
The MathPlusToolBox has been developed in cooperation by Dr. Randy Lundquist
with the Oregon State University Science Access Project and Carolyn Gardner at
Linn-Benton Community College. It is being developed because of the scarcity of
mathematical materials available for students with disabilities. Computers often
enable these students to have access to information that is otherwise not available.
Though this computer application was developed to help students with disabilities,
its universal design makes it appeal to all students learning math.
In this paper, some background will be given about the reasons why the
MathPlusToolBox was developed. The tools included in the ToolBox will be
described along with some of the reasoning that was behind the design. The
development process will be explained along with a look at our plans for the
future.
2 BACKGROUND
Persons with disabilities have traditionally been underrepresented in the fields of
science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. The future needs of the
nation’s scientific workforce demand that no group be excluded from participation
in education and training that lead to productive careers in the sciences. The
National Science Foundation promotes the full inclusion and participation of
persons…