On the Road to Developing Nemeth Braille Code Competencies for Beginning TVIs: Findings of a Two-Part Study L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D. University of Arizona

On the Road to Developing Nemeth Braille Code Competencies for Beginning TVIs: Findings of a Two-Part Study L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D. University of Arizona Derrick Smith, Ed.D. University of Alabama at Huntsville

Development of Literary Braille Competencies AER Personnel Preparation Division formed a group to investigate the development of standards for literary braille. Sandy Lewis, Frances Mary DAndrea and L. Penny Rosenblum conducted a Delphi Study (JVIB, 2012). Next logical step was to conduct a Delphi Study to investigate the development of standards for Nemeth code.

Nemeth Delphi Committee Members Paul Ajuwon Sheila Amato Donna Brostek Lee Tina Herzberg Sunggye Hong Cheryl Kamei-Hannan Beth Harris Patricia Myers L. Penny Rosenblum Derrick Smith Sandy Smith Adam Wilton Kim Zebehazy

Committee Procedure Questionnaire developed to collect demographic data A list of Nemeth code skills was developed A list of skills in other codes (foreign language, music, computer), abacus, and tactile graphics was developed

Purpose of the Demographic Study To gather information on how university programs prepare future teachers of students with visual impairments in the areas of the Nemeth braille, foreign language braille, computer braille, music braille codes, the abacus, and tactile graphics.

Study Procedure 39-item questionnaire using online survey software Open to university programs in the United States and Canada for six weeks in fall 2011 22 individuals representing 26 universities participated

Delivery of Course Content Content Face-to Face On-LineHybrid Literary Braille 7711 Nemeth Braille 799 Foreign Language Braille 886 Music Braille 676 Computer Braille 867 Abacus 798 Tactile Graphics 7513

How Content is Delivered Content PrimaryEmbeddedCorrespondN/A Literary Braille 25100 Nemeth Braille 24110 Foreign Language Braille 31805 Music Braille 21617 Computer Braille 31805 Abacus 101330 Tactile Graphics 42101

Tools Used to Produce Braille Content PerkinsS&SBrl Em.Brl. Tran.Elec. Literary Braille 26 221614 Nemeth Braille 2611844 Foreign Language Braille 140811 Music Braille 90900 Computer Braille 1001144 Abacus -- Tactile Graphics --

All University Programs Required Students to Demonstrate Mastery Numerals Numeral indicator Punctuation indicator English letter indicator Fraction indicator Fractions Operations Comparison Decimals Problems in Linear Format

Most University Programs Required Students to Demonstrate Skills SkillMastery Basic Knowledge None Problems in Spatial Format 251-- Level Indicator 251-- Groupings 251-- Radical Indicator 215-- Multipurpose Indicator 215-- Radicals 1051

Algebra and Geometry Had More Variability SkillMastery Basic Knowledge None Absolute Value 1772 Shapes 179-- Arrows 1511-- Angles 1511-- Lines 12131 Arcs 9107

Advanced Math Had Even More Variability SkillMastery Basic Knowledge None Functions 8126 Logarithms 4913 Advanced Math 6137 Matrices 21014

Nemeth Resources Resource RequiredRec.ShownNoUnsure An Introduction to Braille Mathematics 143352 The Nemeth Braille Code for Mathematics and Science Notation 912311 Mathematics Made Easy for Children with Visual Impairment 221203 Braille Codes and Calculations 526113

Nemeth Resources Resource RequiredRecom.ShownNoUnsure Learning Nemeth Braille Code 134360 Strategies for Developing Mathematics Skills in Students Who Use Braille 74861 Chapter on Nemeth code in New Programmed Instruction in Braille 1131102 Braille Code of Chemical Notation 108161

Resources Shared with Students TSBVI web site (n=10) APH web site and/or reference sheet (n=9) National Braille Press web site or books (n=5) BANA web site or books (n=5) Project Math Access web site or materials (n=4)

How Students Demonstrate Competence Homework or weekly tests (n=23) Final exam (n=18) Midterm exam (n=5) Less frequently mentioned: Lesson plans Postings on discussion boards Adapting materials

Procedures 13 programs allowed students to resubmit homework. 7 programs did not allow students to resubmit homework. 1 program required students to write out what rules were not followed. Few programs allowed students to remediate final or midterm exams.

Foreign Language Braille Code Foreign language braille was at the exposure level. Few programs required a homework assignment. BANA web site was shared as a resource.

Foreign Language, Computer and Tactile Graphics Resources Content RequiredRecom.ShownNoUnsure Interim Manual for Foreign Language 145141 The Computer Braille Code Made Easy 118121 Computer Braille Code 66671 Tactile Graphics 0410111

Computer Braille Code Almost all programs gave a brief introduction to computer braille code. 2 programs indicated that computer braille code was integrated into an assistive technology course.

Music Braille Code Dancing Dots and Library of Congress were web sites shared with students. Few programs required students to complete a braille music homework.

Music Resources Content RequiredRecom.ShownNoUnsure Who is Afraid of Braille Music 115163 How to Read Braille Music 0210113 Music Braille Code 37892

Abacus Five programs required students to complete an abacus course from Hadley School for the Blind. Thirteen programs had students on an exam compute using an abacus. Three programs had students do homework assignments with an abacus. Three programs had students teach a child to compute with an abacus. Eight programs allowed students to redo abacus assignments and ten did not.

Abacus Resources Resource RequiredRecom.ShownNoUnsure Use of the Cranmer Abacus 102843 The Abacus Made Easy 531073 Abacus Basic Competency: A Counting Method 321183

Tactile Graphics Five programs shared BANA guidelines. Ten programs shared APH guidelines and materials (e.g., Draftsman, models). Nineteen programs had specific assignments and activities. Twenty-three programs required students to prepare tactile graphics. Three programs had exam questions about tactile graphics.

Rosenblum, L. P. & Smith, D. (2012). Instruction in Specialized Braille Codes, Abacus, and Tactile Graphics at Universities in the United States and Canada. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 106(6), 339-350.

NEMETH DELPHI

Development of the Delphi Instrument 13-member focus group developed 29 statements that could be competencies. Panelists rated each statement for reading and writing. For each statement panelists rated the level of importance and the type of references to be used (none, code reference, book). Agreement level was set at 85%.

Criteria to Join the Nemeth Delphi Panel In the last three years taught at least one course on how to read and write Nemeth code Taught the Nemeth code for at least three semesters / quarters Taught the Nemeth code for at least three or more years Taught in the United States or Canada Taught skills for students to read and write Nemeth code

Read/Write in Context Linear Problems Reading Importance: Extremely Important (100%, n = 20) References: No References (94%, n = 17) Writing Importance: Extremely Important (95%, n = 19) References: No References (94%, n = 17)

Read/Write Punctuation Signs, Symbols used in Nemeth Reading Importance: Extremely Important (100%, n = 20) References: No References (94%, n = 17) Writing Importance: Extremely Important (100%, n = 20) References: No Agreement

Read/Write Simple Fractions/Mixed Numbers Reading Importance: Extremely Important (100%, n = 20) References: No References (94%, n = 19) Writing Importance: Extremely Important (100%, n = 20) References: No Agreement

Read/Write Computation in Spatial Format Reading Importance: Extremely Important (100%, n = 20) References: No References (94%, n = 17) Writing Importance: Extremely Important (100%, n = 20) References: No References (94%, n = 17)

Read/Write Expressions w/Grouping Symbols, Including Parentheses Reading Importance: Extremely Important (100%, n = 20) References: No References (94%, n = 17) Writing Importance: Extremely Important (95%, n = 19) References: No Agreement

Read/Write Expressions w/Decimals, Percentages, Negative Numbers Reading Importance: Extremely Important (85%, n = 17) References: No References (94%, n = 16) Writing Importance: Extremely Important (100%, n = 20) References: No Agreement

Read/Write Expressions w/More Advanced Signs of Comparison Reading Importance: Extremely Important (94%, n = 17) References: Code Reference (89%, n = 16) Writing Importance: No Agreement References: Code Reference (94%, n = 17)

Read/Write Expressions with Superscripts Reading Importance: Extremely Important (94%, n = 16) References: Code Reference (89%, n = 16) Writing Importance: Extremely Important (85%, n = 17) References: No Agreement

Read/Write Expressions with Subscripts Reading Importance: Extremely Important (89%, n = 16) References: No Agreement Writing Importance: No Agreement References: No Agreement

Read/Write Expressions with Radicals Reading Importance: Extremely Important (94%, n = 17) References: Code Reference (89%, n = 16) Writing Importance: No Agreement References: No Agreement

Read/Write Expressions with Complex Numbers Reading Importance: No Agreement References: No Agreement Writing Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (89%, n = 16)

Read/Write Letters Representing Measurement Units Reading Importance: Extremely Important (94%, n = 17) References: No References (89%, n = 16) Writing Importance: Extremely Important (94%, n = 16) References: Code Reference (89%, n = 16)

Read/Write Nemeth Code Signs of Comparison Reading Importance: Extremely Important (89%, n = 16) References: Code Reference (89%, n = 16) Writing Importance: No Agreement References: Code Reference (89%, n = 16)

Read/Write Nemeth Code Signs for Rates and Derived Measurements Reading Importance: Extremely Important (89%, n = 16) References: No Agreement Writing Importance: No Agreement References: No Agreement

Read/Write Formulae for Area/Volume of Geometric Figures Reading Importance: No Agreement References: No Agreement Writing Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (90%, n = 18)

Read/Write Letters Used to Symbolize Variables Reading Importance: Extremely Important (94%, n = 17) References: No References (94%, n = 17) Writing Importance: Extremely Important (94%, n = 17) References: No Agreement

Read/Write Algebraic Equations w/Polynomials, Rational Numbers Reading Importance: Extremely Important (89%, n = 16) References: Code Reference (89%, n = 16) Writing Importance: Extremely Important (89%, n = 16) References: No Agreement

Read/Write Algebraic Equations w/Logarithmic Numbers Reading Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (94%, n = 17) Writing Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (95%, n = 18)

Read/Write Algebraic Equations using Periodic Functions Reading Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (94%, n = 17) Writing Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (85%, n = 17)

Read/Write Algebraic Equations using Inequalities Reading Importance: Extremely Important (89%, n = 16) References: Code Reference (89%, n = 16) Writing Importance: No Agreement References: No Agreement

Read/Write Statements Using Shape Indicators Reading Importance: Extremely Important (94%, n = 17) References: No Agreement Writing Importance: Extremely Important (94%, n = 17) References: Reference Book (89%, n = 16)

Read/Write Compass Directions Using Arrow Indicators Reading Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (89%, n = 16) Writing Importance: Somewhat Important (89%, n = 16) References: Reference Book (85%, n = 17)

Read/Write Symbols for Congruence, Similar, Parallel, Perpendicular Reading Importance: Important (89%, n = 16) References: No Agreement Writing Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (89%, n = 16)

Read/Write Coordinate Indicators Reading Importance: Extremely Important (89%, n = 16) References: No References (94%, n = 17) Writing Importance: No Agreement References: No Agreement

Read/Write Indicators for Angles, Lengths, Arcs, Perimeters, Areas, Volume Reading Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (94%, n = 17) Writing Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (85%, n = 17)

Read/Write Trigonometric Indicators for Length and Angle Measurements Reading Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (95%, n = 18) Writing Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (94%, n = 17)

Read/Write Cartesian Coordinates, Navigational, Polar, Spherical Reading Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (89%, n = 17) Writing Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (95%, n = 19)

Read/Write Indicators for Plane, Vectors, Function Notation, Matrices Reading Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (95%, n = 18) Writing Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (100%, n = 20)

Read/Write Various Indicators/Equations for Statistical Data Reading Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (95%, n = 18) Writing Importance: No Agreement References: Reference Book (100%, n = 19)

Final Thoughts University programs place a greater emphasis on literary & Nemeth braille codes than other braille codes. There is variability in the competencies students must demonstrate in Nemeth code when it comes to more advanced (middle school and up) math. Abacus computation is taught at most universities though the level of proficiency students must demonstrate varies.

Final Thoughts The Delphi panel agreed on the following: The level of importance for 20 reading statements The level of importance for 12 writing statements The level of references for 22 reading statements The level of importance for 17 writing statements

Whats Next? Publication of a second article in JVIB in 2013 (Smith & Rosenblum) Possible follow-up study to find out more about what students at various age levels are reading and writing in Nemeth code Discussion with the Personnel Preparation Division about the adoption of Nemeth code competencies by university programs

Documents

On the Road to Developing Nemeth Braille Code Competencies for Beginning TVIs: Findings of a Two-Part Study L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D. University of Arizona