Research

Working Memory and Math Problem Solving by Blind Middle and High School Students: Implications for Universal Access

This project investigates how blind students solve math word problems varying in text length and grade-level readability, in the context of existing web-based tutorial.

Working Memory and Math Problem Solving by Blind Middle and High School Students: Implications for Universal Access

Beal, C. & Shaw, E. (2008). In K. McFerrin et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2008 (pp. 5011-5016).

Math achievement tends to be low for blind students, relative to other academic subjects. The project is investigating how blind students solve math word problems varying in text length and grade-level readability, in the context of an existing web-based tutorial. Text-to-speech software will allow blind students to access word problems in audio format. Replay actions will be used to track blind students’ processing of word problem texts varying in number of words and grade-level readability. Results will be used to adapt the software to select math word problems that are appropriate for students who are blind.