[UEB Maths] objectives for a face to face meeting

Fri Dec 15 15:58:05 EST 2006

So glad you can join us Stephen, your expertise will be very welcome. March is a good time of year for sightseeing, the tourist rush is over and the weather still warm enough to enjoy the countryside.

I know our agenda is already a bit full but another area I am hoping we can make progress on is options for automating the back translation of maths. It would be great to get advice from both yourself and Joe on how best a student in the classroom, who may be using a variety of technologies, could braille their Maths in UEB then print it out in a readable form for their teacher. I know some good work has already been done on this for Nemeth in the USA but I'm not sure how far that got or how many man hours a similar project for UEB would need.
Janet

-----Original Message-----
From: uebmaths-bounces at nbp.org [mailto:uebmaths-bounces at nbp.org] On Behalf Of Phippen, Stephen
Sent: Saturday, 16 December 2006 5:28 a.m.
To: UEB Maths
Subject: RE: [UEB Maths] objectives for a face to face meeting

To: UEB Maths Group
From: Stephen Phippen
Date: 15 December 2006

It looks as if funding should be available for me (through RNIB and
possibly BAUK), and I expect to come. Perhaps I will plant a tree or two
to compensate for the CO2 generated by the flight. I am thinking I will
extend the trip to a holiday and do some sight-seeing, after coming all
that way.

The agenda looks interesting, and I hope the meeting will be productive.
As regard topic coverage, besides the maths, I should be able to cover
both the chemistry and computer sides, at least from the BAUK angle, as
I was in at the development and writing stage for the BAUK codes, and am
experienced in editing such material for transcription.

If people want to refer to the BAUK maths and computer codes, they are
available on the BAUK web site: www.bauk.org.uk. The BAUK chemistry code
is contained within the Braille Science Notation: at the moment, only
the text volume in braille is available on the BAUK site. You should be
able to obtain print or both volumes of the braille in hard copy from
RNIB. I am currenly converting the Braille Science Notation to
electronic format so that it can be put on the BAUK web site; hopefully
I will be sufficiently forward with this for it to be available to you
before the meeting.

Regards,
Stephen

-----Original Message-----
From: uebmaths-bounces at nbp.org [mailto:uebmaths-bounces at nbp.org] On
Behalf Of Janet Reynolds
Sent: 12 December 2006 02:48
To: UEB Maths
Subject: [UEB Maths] objectives for a face to face meeting

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

_______________________________________________
UEBmaths mailing list
UEBmaths at nbp.org
http://www.nbp.org/mailman/listinfo/uebmaths

-- 
DISCLAIMER:

NOTICE: The information contained in this email and any attachments is 
confidential and may be privileged.  If you are not the intended 
recipient you should not use, disclose, distribute or copy any of the 
content of it or of any attachment; you are requested to notify the 
sender immediately of your receipt of the email and then to delete it 
and any attachments from your system.

RNIB endeavours to ensure that emails and any attachments generated by
its staff are free from viruses or other contaminants.  However, it 
cannot accept any responsibility for any  such which are transmitted.
We therefore recommend you scan all attachments.

Please note that the statements and views expressed in this email and 
any attachments are those of the author and do not necessarily represent
those of RNIB.

RNIB Registered Charity Number: 226227

Website: http://www.rnib.org.uk

This message has been scanned for viruses by BlackSpider MailControl - www.blackspider.com
_______________________________________________
UEBmaths mailing list
UEBmaths at nbp.org
http://www.nbp.org/mailman/listinfo/uebmaths

-- 
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.20/588 - Release Date: 15/12/2006

-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.20/588 - Release Date: 15/12/2006