Mathematics Software, A Computer Lab, and the Hearing Impaired

Many schools for the deaf are now incorporating microcomputers into the classroom, but as is true with textbooks and other teaching materials, there is lack of software on the market for the hearing impaired.

As a teacher of the deaf for 7 years at the California School for the Deaf in Riverside, I have found through my experience with the high school students that the use of hearing student oriented mathematics software is sometimes just as good or better than the mathematics software geared for the hearing-impaired student. Classroom experimentation with the students has shown that some of the more difficult math programs with higher reading levels appeal to the low reading hearing-impaired students more than the easier reading level hearing-impaired programs.

When developing a computer lab there are several things to consider: costs, networking, choice of mathematics software, and methods of acquiring and developing better software. Microcomuter hardware and software is a cost-effective move for the future. It makes the students more proficient, interested in their school work, and further increases their educational development.