Case Study:
Emily is a 10th-grade student with a specific learning disability in written expression, which significantly affects her ability to write equations neatly. This has impacted her performance in math, as her teachers often find it difficult to understand her work.
Identified Challenges:
· Legibility: Emily’s handwriting is often illegible, making it hard for teachers to follow her mathematical reasoning.
· Organization: She struggles to keep her work organized on the page, leading to errors in solving equations.
· Frustration: The constant feedback on neatness has led to increased anxiety and a lack of confidence in her math abilities.
Emily’s areas of needs in math are a combination of processing to written expression, fine motor skills, and a lack of organization due to her identified SLD. Emily needs additional social emotional support to reduce her anxieties and boost her confidence following her response to the constant feedback she has received. She would benefit from increased self-monitoring skills and metacognitive training for independence.
Suggested AT:
Initially it would be suggested to start with a low-tech tool to improve fine motor skills, legibility, and organization, these would include a pencil grip, graph paper, and a calculator.
Amazon.com : Colovis Silicone Pencil Grips for Kids Handwriting, 3 Type, Suitable for Children, Students, Adults, and Special Needs : Office Products - $6.98
Graph Paper Notebook: Grid Paper Notebook, Grid Paper for Math and Science Students, Quad Ruled 5x5 ( 110 Pages, 8.5 x 11): Malone, Ken: 9781712051641: Amazon.com: Books - $5.99
Amazon.com : Amazon Basics LCD 8-Digit Desktop Calculator, 1 Pack, Small, Black : Office Products - $9.49
Following a trial period and evaluation, an increased level of assistive technology may be needed and would include the use of an app called ModMath.
This app allows the user to use a touchscreen to create their work on virtual graph paper. This work can then be printed, uploaded, emailed, or even texted. The ModMath app is available free of charge, but does include an option to upgrade to ModMath Pro. (ModMath – www.modmath.com)
Photomath would be another free AT that may help Emily, especially with her homework. She can take a picture of her written work, it will digitally convert the image, solve, and explain the process step by step. (Photomath - The Ultimate Math Help App | Math Explained)
Lesson Application:
If Emily is working on determining the volume of a prism.
Using the pencil grip and graph paper Emily will use the formula to calculate the volume of various rectangular prisms (length x width x height). As she completes each calculation manually, she will underline her final answer, next she will input the data into her calculator to self-check her work. The teacher will provide positive feedback at the conclusion.
After evaluating her progress, Emily may require additional AT. When determining the volume of rectangular prisms, Emily could use the ModMath app. This touchscreen application would allow her to create her work on a virtual graph paper. She could then print, email, or even text her work for feedback.
References:
Komentarze