Kinds of Technology Tools that Can be Used to Adress Visual-Spatial or Motor Control Difficulties

In my previous blog, I examined three educational application that can be used to address automaticity/math fluency facts. In this blog, I will discuss the kinds of technology tools that can be used to address visual-spatial or motor control difficulties.

Disabilities with visual-spatial disabilities may have difficulties writing numbers, aligning digits in columns, and creating visual representations. These issues make it almost impossible for students to display their level of achievement in mathematics. Below are a few tools used to aid these students with spatial or motor control difficulties.

Math Pad

The students perform arithmetic computations as they would in a pencil and pad worksheet but this is on a computer with a talking math worksheet. The students complete any computational math problem using the keyboard and mouse on the computer. The problems are properly aligned, the numbers are read to the students as they complete the problem, and a set program may be created by the teacher for students to work on the areas they need the most practice. Teachers are able to view all the steps students took to solve the problems and not just the answers. I think this program would help students struggling with attention. Any skills practiced on the computer adds an extra incentive for students and keeps them a little more focused.

Please view the video below to see MathPad in use.

Virtual Pencil (VP) Arithmetic

VP arithmetic is much like MathPad as the students are able to solve problems just as they would on a paper and pencil worksheet. It was designed with students with pencil impairments in mind which range from students with motor disabilities to students with visual impairments. The program was created with students with visual impairments in mind numbers, steps, and feedback are offered verbally. I have worked with students on a math program similar to this where everything on the screen was read to students. It was very beneficial for the ELL students that may struggle with reading word problems and directions to a problem. I could see using this program for these students also.

 

Scientific Notebook

This application is used to allow users to write and solve equations on the computer. This program provides opportunities for students with disabilities to participate in advanced math. (calculus, matrices, etc.)

That's all for now, Until Next Time!