Handwriting recognition for maths

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter cmml100
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential for handwriting recognition technology specifically designed for mathematical expressions. Participants explore its feasibility, applications, and implications for students, particularly in online communication of mathematics. The conversation includes considerations of existing tools, user experiences, and the accessibility of such technology.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Mandy introduces a survey to gauge interest in handwriting recognition technology for mathematics and seeks feedback from the community.
  • Some participants express optimism about the potential of touchscreen handwriting recognition for note-taking on tablets, highlighting convenience.
  • Concerns are raised about the current lack of suitable applications that cater specifically to students, with existing options being overly complex.
  • Participants discuss the importance of legible handwriting for effective communication, noting that formatting distractions can hinder mathematical focus.
  • There is a suggestion to save un-rendered files to preserve the original input in case of rendering errors, indicating a need for reliability in the technology.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism regarding the availability and effectiveness of current handwriting recognition technologies for mathematics. There is no consensus on specific tools or solutions, and the discussion remains open-ended.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for legible handwriting and the potential benefits for disabled students, indicating that accessibility considerations are part of the discussion. The conversation reflects a variety of user experiences and expectations from such technology.

cmml100
Hi,

My name is Mandy and I am very new to this forum. I am a university student who is debating whether a freely available handwriting recognition technology for mathematics expression can make life a lot easier for those who want to communicate mathematics on-line. I have prepared a survey and wondered if it would be objectionable to post the link up here to ask for your opinions. The survey is fairly short and basically only asks for information such as do you use MS Word Maths editor, Latex etc. It should take only a few minutes.

Click here to take the survey: https://www.isurvey.soton.ac.uk/5561

I would be really grateful for the help,
Mandy (Happy)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mathematics news on Phys.org
cmml100 said:
Hi,

My name is Mandy and I am very new to this forum. I am a university student who is debating whether a freely available handwriting recognition technology for mathematics expression can make life a lot easier for those who want to communicate mathematics on-line. I have prepared a survey and wondered if it would be objectionable to post the link up here to ask for your opinions. The survey is fairly short and basically only asks for information such as do you use MS Word Maths editor, Latex etc. It should take only a few minutes.

Click here to take the survey: https://www.isurvey.soton.ac.uk/5561

I would be really grateful for the help,
Mandy (Happy)

It depends if it works or not...

I would like to say that I think it would be wonderful if you got the touchscreen version working so that I could take notes on a tablet. That would be very convenient! (Although, perhaps a thing exists? I have maybe heard tale of it on MathOverflow.)
 
Last edited:
Swlabr said:
perhaps a thing exists? I have maybe heard tale of it on MathOverflow.)

that would be nice. but I have not been able to locate one so far. At the moment, I know of a hand full of desktop based applications. Hugely expansive and not really catering for students. I am looking for something that allows students to just concentrate on the mathematics as if on pen and paper, then with some simple means send it off for checking or discussion. Of course, it will have to assume legible handwriting. But then, that's by the by, even when sitting next to a teacher side by side, your handwriting needs to be somewhat legible for discussions to take place. I just find the whole process of having to format everything too much of a distraction from the mathematics itself. or else, you work things out by hand and then having to type it up is such a pain.

Yes, if you know of anything, please send it my way. My uni has a nice budget for trying things out. especially if I argue that it might be good for disabled students... [sorry about the politics ... (Wink)]
 
cmml100 said:
that would be nice. but I have not been able to locate one so far. At the moment, I know of a hand full of desktop based applications. Hugely expansive and not really catering for students. I am looking for something that allows students to just concentrate on the mathematics as if on pen and paper, then with some simple means send it off for checking or discussion. Of course, it will have to assume legible handwriting. But then, that's by the by, even when sitting next to a teacher side by side, your handwriting needs to be somewhat legible for discussions to take place. I just find the whole process of having to format everything too much of a distraction from the mathematics itself. or else, you work things out by hand and then having to type it up is such a pain.

Yes, if you know of anything, please send it my way. My uni has a nice budget for trying things out. especially if I argue that it might be good for disabled students... [sorry about the politics ... (Wink)]

This is the thread I was thinking of.

I think it would be important to save the un-rendered files also, incase of an incorrectly-rendered symbol and you're not sure what it is meant to be...and that is all my ideas...good luck!
 
Swlabr said:
I think it would be important to save the un-rendered files also, incase of an incorrectly-rendered symbol and you're not sure what it is meant to be...and that is all my ideas...good luck!
that is exactly what I was thinking of. :D
 

Similar threads

Other Absolutely terrible pattern recognition skills
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
MHB What is the Outcome of the Christmas Math Challenge Equation?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Effects of LLMs on math learning, self taught or otherwise
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
966
MHB Guidelines for posting/answering a challenging problem or puzzle
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
8K
Visuals confuse me, but I'm good at math - help with mechanics resources?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
What and how to study for a pure maths education at university?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
High School The Paradox of 1 – 1 + 1 – 1 + 1 – 1 + …
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
PF Betterment Survey Staff Responses
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Courses What advanced math courses should I take as a ECE
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
BA in math or MS in math: Which is the better path for my future career?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K