Making Maths Accessible to All: STEMReader project

Accessible to all… but what does “Accessible” mean? When something is accessible, it means it’s usable by everyone (UK Government Digital Inclusion Strategy, 2014) 1.able to be reached or entered. 2.able to be easily obtained or used. 3.easily understood or appreciated. 4.able to be reached, entered, or used by people who have a disability “Accessible technology” = technology that allows users to access content in different formats

Potential barriers to success Visually impaired students – 23,500 in FE Specific learning difficulties – 161,300 in FE Students with English as a second language How large is the problem? –Apprenticeship success rate 4.4% lower for dyslexia/dyscalculia; 5.1% for VI – differential increasing –61% of apprenticeships in business, health and engineering sectors –Estimate print disabled post-16 students studying STEM subjects

Do difficulties with reading impact maths learning? Maths is a visual subject…. Learners with impaired sight need additional supported But other students impacted by difficulties with reading, with 10% of population estimated to be impacted by a SpLD – GCSE candidates a year require reading support; receive extra time – students in FE with SpLD –4% of HE student population receives support for SpLD

Access Arrangements for qualifications “Computer readers” (text to speech) are –allowed in all GCSEs, including English –candidates who qualify for a reader & its their usual way of working. Potential impact (Runshaw College, Learning Futures Project): “Being offered a computer reader takes away the embarrassment, or the stigma, of requiring someone to sit with you in the exam to read the question.” “Using the software improved my mark. I got a grade C (in the mock exam) and I’ve never had a C on a paper before.” “Becoming an adult, I feel it has helped me to become more independent, preparing me for getting a job”

Runshaw College project Numbers of students: GCSE English No. of students overall who sat GCSE English reading paper, with grades ranging from X (no grade) to grade D. 478 No. of students who did not have an assessed difficulty with reading. 434 No. of students who had been assessed as having difficulties with reading 44 (9%) No. of students who used a computer reader in the GCSE English reading paper. 29 (6%) No. of students who did not have reading help in the GCSE English reading paper. 15

Runshaw College project Percentage of students achieving a grade C Students who did not have an assessed difficulty with reading. 51% Students who used a computer reader in the GCSE English reading paper. 48% Students who did not have reading help in the GCSE English reading paper. 27%

But reading assistance in maths is limited, why? 1.Symbols are not allowed to be read within exam arrangements 2.Lack of consistent & agreed approaches for reading aloud maths Flickr: tkamenick CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Maths reading challenges… How to create accessible maths notation Reading text and maths How to read aloud maths notation STEMReader for Windows ATbar Guidelines on reading aloud maths Web Accessibility Standards (WCAG) National STEM accessibility resource

STEMReader project Develop a usable, sustainable tool for reading aloud maths notation to use alongside their current support strategies. Goals: Improve solutions for reading aloud maths notation for students studying from functional skills through to degree level maths and science Platform independent tool for rendering & speaking MathML with definitions and suitable reading rules User-centred design throughout user trials throughout development Due to launch May 2016

1. STEMReader Read aloud maths accurately but without overloading the user Highlight the equation as it is read Provide users with different options for speaking equations Investigating different ways of displaying the semantic relationships within the notation

2. Reading guidance on maths equations

Guidelines for reading aloud maths notation: UK, level 2 maths

3. ATBar for reading assistance Free browser toolbar for reading & accessibility assistance Developing free Windows version with: –Computer reader / text to speech –Colour overlay –STEMReader integration

4. Accessible learning materials: Load2Learn

Interested in trialling STEMReader & ATbar? Abi James, Teresa Binks and E.A. Draffan University of Southampton enhance-digital-accessibility