Guide
Creating an accessible geometry worksheet: Desmos Geometry Tool
Workflow of how to recreate an inaccessible geometry worksheet to an accessible version using Word and Desmos Geometry Tool.
In the shapes and geometry series of posts, we have looked at starting with manipulatives and tactile shapes to build foundation geometry skills, and then took a quick tour of the Desmos Geometry Tool. In this post, we’ll look at how educators can create an accessible geometry worksheet (Word document) and add a link to the accessible Desmos geometry image. Using a screen reader, your student can access the Word document, click on the embedded link to access the geometry image and then answer the question in the worksheet.
The chosen geometry example is simple – finding the perimeter and area of a hexagon. The main goal is to show how to use the Desmos Geometry Tool and the workflow between the teacher creating the image and the student accessing the image. The same process can be used with more complex geometry images and worksheets.
The original worksheet, Identify and Calculate the Area and Perimeter for each Polygon, is a poor quality image.
Original area and perimeter worksheet (inaccessible)
Workflow steps
Recreate the assignment as a Word document.
You must have a Desmos account and be signed in to save and share images.
To create the polygon on a grid
- Select the Settings Tools button (top button in the right column).
- Toggle on the Grid option.
Image 1: Settings button
- Select Polygon Tool button (last button in the top ribbon).
- On the canvas, place 6 dots to make the 6 vertices of the hexagon.
- After placing the 6-dots, you must click on the first dot to end the polygon.
- If the hexagon is uneven, select the Arrow Tool, then select and move any desired vertices.
- To add the AS line segment, select the Line Tool.
- In the Canvas, place two points in the desired location to make the line segment.
- To add the labels, click on the “a” point; the ribbon buttons change.
- Select the A Tool. The default letter is “A”.
- Click on the “s” point. Select the A Tool again. Type the letter “S”. Click anywhere on the grid to exit the tool.
Image 2: Labeling
- To save the polygon, select the Save button in the far left ribbon. (A popup menu appears.)
- Type the desired name of this image.
Image 3: Save
To share the hexagon:
- Select the Share button (located above the tools ribbon, on the right side). A popup appears with the option to share the link (copy) or Export Image.
- To share the link, select Copy. (You will paste the link into the worksheet which is a Word document.)
- To export the image, select the upload button. The image is now in your upload folder. If desired, copy the image and paste it into the worksheet.
- The exported image can also be used to create an embossed (tactile) image of the hexagon.
Image 4: Share
To add the link to the Word document math worksheet:
- Type in the associated text (Example: The number of the question, and the word “image”).
- Link the Desmos hexagon image to the text in the document.
- Highlight the text, Command + K to open the link popup and paste the link.
- To add the image to the text, copy the downloaded Desmos image and paste the image into the worksheet.
Image 5: Question 7 with embedded hexagon link
Note: The visual image of the hexagon is not necessary for the student, as the student will click on the link which automatically opens the image in the Desmos Geometry Tool, which is fully accessible with a screen reader. The image may be helpful for sighted teachers.
Download the odd numbers 1-7 of the accessible Area and Perimeter assignment here. Click on the links to open each polygon in the Desmos Geometry Tool.
Desmos Geometry Tool Workflow video
The Desmos Geometry Tool Workflow video goes step-by-step through the workflow described above. This video is from the teacher perspective and was made without a screen reader.
Desmos Geometry Tool Workflow video by Diane Brauner
Note: The Desmos Geometry Tool software has been updated slightly since the videos in the previous posts. A few of the buttons in the ribbon are slightly different, but the results are the same.
Resources
- Math shapes: Marshmallows and toothpicks activity!
- Math shapes: Classification and drawing of shapes
- Math shapes: Introducing APH Memory Puzzles
- Desmos Geometry Tool: Points and lines (without a screen reader)
- Desmos Geometry Tool: Circles and polygons (without a screen reader)
- Creating an accessible geometry worksheet: Desmos Geometry Tool (workflow)
By Diane Brauner
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