- Project name: EuroMath – Enhanced support to teachers and learners with visual impairments in inclusive educational settings through innovative ICT-based math instruction
- Website: https://www.euromath.eu/
- Source of funding: Erasmus+
- Project goal: The goal of the project is to develop the EuroMath website and make available a set of innovative, specialised ICT tools for supporting teachers and students with visual impairments in remedial mathematics classes in the Netherlands, Ireland and Poland. 300 types of educational materials utilising EuroMath tools will also be developed for teachers to use in mathematics classes.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The project meets the ICT-related needs of visually-impaired students, offering them equal opportunities in acquiring mathematics education specified in the primary and secondary education curriculum, as well as satisfying the needs of mathematics teachers related to inclusive education. HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) research is conducted as part of the project. The solutions offered as part of EuroMath will be designed in accordance with the principles of UDL (Universal Design for Learning), in order to ensure that both the tools and resources are made universal and do not require adapting to the needs of their users, in particular with regard to content accessibility. The universality of EuroMath lies in its multimodal mathematics content and how it is accessed. Special aural and tactile interfaces will be designed for teachers and students with visual impairments, utilising speech synthesis, sound, gestures, touch (3D printing, Braille printing, tactile graphics on tangible paper), handwriting (only formulae). Supported input and output channels will include QWERTY keyboards, Braille keyboards, virtual Braille QWERTY keyboards, touch screens, Braille rulers and printers as well as 3D and regular printers. EuroMath draws from the experiences and solutions used by PlatMat technology (http://info.platmat.pl), which won two international awards for innovation. EuroMath tools and resources will be made available in partnered countries and other neighbouring states, as well as online at www.euromath.eu.
PROJECT RESULTS:
- A knowledge base in the form of a report on ICT needs and tools supporting the teaching of mathematics to blind and visually-impaired students in Poland, the Netherlands, Ireland and neighbouring countries.
- A EuroMath tools model – the structure, functionalities and synergies between the tools will be compiled in the form of technical documentation.
- The implementation and valorisation of the EuroMath model – a set of interconnected EuroMath tools in three language versions (PL, EN and NL) which work together with the website and instant messaging software.
- A database of hypermedia mathematics and methodology-related content in three language (PL, EN and NL), OER (Open Educational Resources).
- A set of Quick Start Guide brochures for EuroMath in three languages (PL, EN and NL), OER.
- Publications and conference papers.
PROJECT PARTICIPANTS:
The project is part of the Erasmus+ KA201 Strategic Partnership for innovation in school education:
- NASK – Coordinator
- Dublin City University (DCU)
- Koninklijke VISIO (Royal VISIO)