It is not necessary to download and print the PDF files of the graphics for a print reader. However, many students with low vision who read print find it easier to see the graphics on paper than on the app. You may want to print a few of the graphics for your student to try so that he has a choice of which way to view the graphics. If you find he is doing fine viewing the graphics on that app, that’s great!
Yes, the only way your student who is a braille reader will be able to complete problem 3 in the Giant Panda unit and problems 2 and 5 in the other 24 units is to have hard copies of the graphics prepared in braille. All graphics that are not tables are prepared as PDF files that need to be run through a fuser (e.g., Pictures in a Flash) on microcapsule paper. The graphics need to be prepared on 11×11.5 inch paper. You’ll need to emboss the .brf files for the tables used in some of the problems.
Counting the Giant Panda introduction unit there are a total of 49 graphics. Twelve of these graphics are tables that are prepared as .brf files for embossing. These are not included in the PDF files of braille graphics. You will need to emboss them separately. View the list of the problems that include tables in .brf format.
Module 1: Black Rhino A2, Black Rhino B5, California Condor B5, Cheetah B5, and Polar Bear A2
Module 2: Burmese Python B5*, Hippo A2, and Poison Frog A5*
Module 3: Honeybee B2*, Snow Leopard A5*, Snow Leopard B2*, and White Shark B2*
Below is a list of problems that have .brf files of the tables. Files with a asterisk are available in UEB and Nemeth in UEB context.
Module 1: Black Rhino A2, Black Rhino B5, California Condor B5, Cheetah B5, and Polar Bear A2
Module 2: Burmese Python B5*, Hippo A2, and Poison Frog A5*
Module 3: Honeybee B2*, Snow Leopard A5*, Snow Leopard B2*, and White Shark B2*
If your student is using refreshable braille with the iPad all material is in UEB. Most of the graphics are in UEB with numbers in the upper part of the cell as per BANA guidelines for technical material with whole numbers. Graphics, including tables, that have fractions, decimals etc. have been prepared both in UEB and Nemeth within UEB context so that you can select the format that your student is familiar with using.
Unfortunately, pinch zoom does not work in the app. The Apple accessibility feature Zoom does work in the app. Learn more about Zoom on p. 23 of the User Guide.
Yes, the app does work with VoiceOver. For information on what settings to enable in VoiceOver see p. 24 of the User Guide.
In Section 2 of the User Guide is step-by-step directions on how to use the features of the app. When you first begin a unit in the app, on the Login page on the bottom menu bar is a “How to Use” button that provides several screens designed to introduce you to the app and its features.
Each module has 8 units. You can view a list of the modules, their units, the topics covered, and a sample problem in the document AWViS Content of Modules and Units.
We have 3 sample videos which is part of the web site for our current project, AnimalWatch Vi: Building Graphics Literacy.
Our current project, AnimalWatch Vi: Building Graphics Literacy. is focused on building the skills of pre-algebra students in locating and interpreting information in graphics. The app we are developing is accompanied by a curriculum for teachers of students with visual impairments. We are conducting a feasibility study in spring 2018 and will be conducting a national intervention study during the 2018-2019 school year. To learn more, please contact Project Director, L. Penny Rosenblum at our contact page.