Educational tools for students with visual spatial or motor control difficulties

Many students have issues with writing numbers, aligning digits, or creating visual representation in the form of angles or shapes. Students with these problems have motor control difficulties or visual spatial difficulties. There are many tools available to help them such as MathPad, Virtual Pencil, Number Navigator, Microsoft Word, MathType, and Scientific Notebook.

MathPad is a talking math worksheet program. It allows students to do arithmetic computations with whole numbers. It is very similar to the way students would do it with a traditional pencil and paper.



Virtual Pencil (VP) is a tool designed for students unable to use the traditional pencil. This is a common tool for students who are blind or who have motor control difficulties. This offers students the same thing traditional paper and pencil would. There are different types of VP. The VP Arithmetic offer verbal feedback to the student. The VP Algebra helps with algebraic  equations.  Here is a video all about the VP.

Number Navigator is a program that is simply a math processor it does not offer any special features. Students are able to solve basic math with this program. Colors, size, and font are customizable.



Microsoft Word is a program most people are familiar with and can be used as a math processor. This program would specifically be good for students with handwriting difficulties, but can use the mouse.




MathType is an alternative to Microsoft Word. Students in higher level math classes would be better suited for this program. This program offers more variety and color coding. 




Scientific Notebook is an application designed for students in higher level math classes. It allows them to participate the same way their peers do. This tool not only allows students to write equations, but it also solves them.





Assistive Technology in the Classroom Enhancing the School Experience of Students with Disabilities