Making Math Graphs More Accessible in Remote Learning: Using Sonification to Introduce Discontinuity in Calculus

Abstract

Math graphs need to be accessible to People with Visual Impairments (PVI). While tactile graphics are a common way for PVI to access math graphs, their use becomes complicated in remote learning. To make math graphs more accessible in remote education, we focused on sonification, the use of non-speech sound. In this study, we designed techniques of sonification of math graphs to introduce the concept of discontinuity in calculus to PVI. First, we conducted a remote interview with six participants to understand their experiences with math education using graphs. Based on these findings, we developed a series of sonifications of math graphs that we remotely evaluated with three participants from our initial interviews. Our findings reveal that sonification can intuitively convey simple patterns and trends in math graphs with a little practice, be useful to introduce the discontinuities, and be more effective with descriptions of the sound and graphs.