[UEB Maths] objectives for a face to face meeting

[Janet Reynolds]

I've thought about what remains to be done and grouped it into four main
areas below. Feel free to add to these. Some of the tasks need doing
before we meet. Ideally we should go into the face to face meeting with
examples to hand, ready to discuss specific questions and then actually
finalise the words. How many face to face days do you think we need?
What experience have each of us got in those four areas? How much time
could each of us spare before March?
 
1. Chemistry: 
Revisit the symbols already defined by Committee 2.
Identify if there should be any rules around their use.
Compare codebook advice around Chemistry from BANA/BAUK/ABA (bond
diagrams, electron dots etc).
Write some Chemistry guidelines for UEB, either as a separate document
or as a chapter in the Maths Guidelines.

2. Computer Language:
Compare codebook advice around brailling "computer language" from
BANA/BAUK/ABA, (computer manuals, programming etc.)
Identify if any rules are needed.
Write some "computer language" guidelines for UEB.

3. Labeling diagrams:
Gather some typical Maths diagrams where space for labeling is an issue.
Identify if there are any possible abbreviating techniques that would
help (possibilities that spring to mind are dropping the dot 5 before
operators and/or brackets, omitting certain grade 1 indicators, any
other creative thoughts welcome). 
Good to get input on techniques independent of UEB - the ICEB tactile
email list springs to mind, and this may generate other links. 
Write some UEB rules and/or guidelines around labeling Maths diagrams. 

4. Feedback on the Mathematical Guidelines draft:
Discuss any feedback available, deciding which parts of the guidelines
need amending or extending. (we already have some areas identified:
blanks to be filled in within a mathematical expression, digits
emphasized within numbers, more examples on long division, hexadecimal
numbers, more advice needed on grade 1 indicator use, shape indicator
queries).
Decide if any amendments, extra sections, extra examples etc are needed.
Write the extra material.
Revisit the need for a separate more concise "Maths Rule" ( I wondered
if we could experiment with one of the sections to see what would need
to come out and in what ways the style would need to change. And then
get feedback from the Rules Committee).

Looking at my own background, I am familiar with the BANA publications
for Chemistry and Computer Code and have used them for school material,
but have not transcribed computer manuals or tertiary chemistry, and
have only studied basic Chemistry myself. I have not compared the BANA
manuals with their BAUK or ABA equivalents. I have plenty of experience
in labeling Maths diagrams using Nemeth but no exposure to diagrams from
the UK or Australia. I am prepared to put several days aside in January
or February for preparatory work but I am also involved with a writing
group preparing UEB material for NZ teachers (on top of running my
department!).
Janet