Proposal for teaching math contents to blind students

Abstract

This article was made from a course conclusion work accomplished in 2013 by an Udesc’s Mathematic
student. It is a research done with a sightless middle school student of Joinville (SC). The initial purpose of
the work consisted in build a methodology to teach flat geometry and arithmetic. Understanding this
concepts is essential for the development of learning, which represents a progress in conceptual field.
However, during the process, it was perceived that it was mandatory to work other concepts due to the fact that the student has showed difficulties related to the basic arithmetic operations. It was taught the
methodology of the soroban, which guarantees agility and safety during calculations, helping sightless
students in their process of learning. It was also perceived, during the process of teaching, that the selected
student, in the case study, besides having difficulties with the four basic operation, also had issues with the
concept and manipulation of unities and dozens, fact that had influenced the used of the golden material
to build these missing concepts. The initial purpose of the project to teach flat geometry and arithmetic
was changed and this change was essential to the student to build the first mathematical concepts and
creating the basis to learn more complexes contents. It was perceived, with this change, that the student
got closer to the contents that in which he had difficulties, such as addition and subtraction. However, due
to the limited time, the results were not the expected.