Math AT for Students with Visual-Spatial or Motor Control Difficulties

In my last post I shared some math applications that may help with fact fluency and automaticity.  Today I’m going to share a few applications that should specifically help students with visual-spatial or motor control difficulties.  These students may have trouble with writing numbers, aligning digits in computation problems and creating visual representations (i.e. shapes or angles) for a number of reasons.  Not being able to read your written work makes math even more difficult than it may already seem for the student!  Here are some fixes:

Application	Description
MathPad	*It’s a talking math worksheet program that enables students to perform arithmetic computations with whole numbers on the computer (same way you would do it with paper and pencil) *Aligned the numbers in correct place value *Shows one problem at a time (less overwhelming) *Customizable speech output *All steps taken to reach the answer will show on the print out
MathPad Plus	*Extends the features of MathPad to arithmetic computations with fractions and decimals *Additional features include: ---Viewing problems as pie charts, fraction bars, or decimal grids (helpful for visual learners!) ---Can manipulate problems directly on the screen
Virtual Pencil (VP) Arithmetic	*For any students who are unable to operate a pencil effectively *Makes +, -, x, / with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals accessible to students *Similar to MathPad in that it presents information much like a worksheet *Speech feedback
Virtual Pencil (VP) Algebra	*Extends most of the features of VP Arithmetic *Speech Output uses math terminology (i.e. square root of, quantity squared, exponent) *Can copy and paste portions of problems to be solved separately and then reinsert them into original problem
Number Navigator	*An application for creating math expressions/equations and solving them on the computer *Free *Colors, fonts, and font sizes are customizable
Microsoft Word (Microsoft Equation Editor is available in Word and other Microsoft Office applications)	*Allows students who have good mouse control to create simple or advanced equations in correct mathematical notation. *Symbols are provided and entered in just a mouse click! *Must be purposefully installed, even though it is included in the Microsoft Office Bundle

One thing I’ve noticed through my AT journey is how many AT options there are right under our nose!  I use Word almost every day and I have never heard of ‘Microsoft Equation Editor’.  It just takes a little research and there are so many free options out there.