Express Activity 1: Setting Up and Getting to Know Your Monarch

Expanded Core Curriculum Mastering the Monarch
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Hi! I honestly forgot all about these required posts, so I am back-tracking a lot! LOL!

I couldn’t wait to unbox and set up the Monarch. I saw one of these at a NFB convention a few years ago, but I had forgotten how large it was! Undeterred, I promptly finished charging it and then jumped right into setting it up!

I found the start-up tutorial very helpful. I knew that this was common for other Humanware notetakers and devices, so I was happy to find it here as well. Learning the layout and navigation of the Monarch was a breeze for me, as I have been a longtime fan and user of the BrailleNote.

My first impressions were exactly what I expected, maybe even a little better! I didn’t even wait for the tech training to open up… I dove straight into the user guide and had myself connected to WiFi in no time! I was so excited by the multi-line Braille, although my fingers had to get used to the feel of the Braille, which felt a bit light at first. I don’t know if it would be possible to include a feature for changing the firmness of the dots, but that might be helpful for some users.

Another dilemma that I have yet to find a work-around for is marking your place in the User Guide. This would be helpful if you wanted to read about something in a particular app, perform some steps, and then come back to the User Guide to find out what to do next. There are alternatives for this, of course, but it’s just a thought!

I am self-employed, and I am also now a partner in a new company that will be working with blind teens and young adults on employment skills. I was thrilled to find the Braille learning tables, and I envision Braille instruction being something that will be helpful in the future! The ability to use Terminal mode will make this device an amazing asset for learning the layouts of spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and other common tools used in the workplace. I see the Tactile Viewer as a great asset as well when access to maps and other graphics is needed.

Along the same lines, one of the first things I wanted to do was to load my Monarch with BRF books I had downloaded from various places over the years. I also wanted to be able to use services like NFB-Newsline and Bookshare… I will renew my Bookshare membership soon, but for now, I am thoroughly enjoying reading magazines and my previously downloaded Braille books, a huge collection that will likely not be read completely in this life! LOL!

I have worked with other Braille displays extensively, including the Focus 40 and the Active Braille 40. Reading with the Monarch is a pleasant experience, and it is already making such a difference! One of the hats I wear is that of a voice actor, and to my surprise, I can read scripts without any worry of noise being picked up as I’m reading. I’m used to working with a very old Versapoint Duo embosser that skips letters at the ends of lines on even-numbered pages, so I much prefer the consistency of reading with the Monarch! I’m used to editing out long pauses when turning pages, so it isn’t a problem! The only thing, I’ve noticed that it will sometimes skip a line or two of text, making it necessary to do various things, like set the Monarch to display more or less lines, until it brings them up for me.

I may be moving ahead a bit too fast in this particular post, so I apologize for that! :slight_smile:

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I love Arielle’s point about the different ways to accomplish the same task with keyboard commands, the D-Pad arrow keys, etc. I absolutely love point and click (or double-click), which will definitely appeal to the former mouse users among my students. I have never used a mouse since I am totally blind, but it is great to simulate what it would be like. Appealing to the different learning styles is always so helpful. Some may find it easier to memorize first-letter navigation rather than the keyboard command. for moving through items. And, that big Braille cell next to the item you are about to choose is so helpful, too.

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Like Ronit, I have been blind since birth. My follow-up activity involved explaining how to get started with tactile graphics. I started with simple images and then slightly more complex ones. I think the more challenging graphics are those that have a different orientation, say, a side view as in the Baseball Helmet graphic. The gave me pause for a minute until a friend came over and placed his ball cap with a brim in my ahnds just as the image on the monarch was displayed with the brim to the right. This is a side view, then. I think it helps us to know the orientation of a graphic before examining it. It is handy to rotate the image with R plus space bar, as well. This works for smaller images, of course.

So, I wholeheartedly second a class for beginning tactile graphics explorers, especially those of us who have never seen before.

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I thought that setting up the Monarch was very intuitive, much like setting up a new tablet or phone.

I was grateful for all instructions. It also helped that I had previously set up several Braille Note Touch Plus units.

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Super easy once able to turn on speech.(slow Braille reader)

Then also connected it to the HDMI and a qwerty keyboard to deal with our strong password for WiFi.

Been using it with my Veterans, Chess for therapeutic recreation, the Braille editor for looking at how code works, WingIt for on the fly tactile graphics to teach concepts.

I really wanted to explore WingIt first since I am a mobility specialist and want to make tactile graphics on the fly.

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First impressions: The Monarch was packaged very well and the unboxing process was accessible. I really like how the Monarch has multiple types of navigation, such as arrow keys, first letter navigation, and keyboard commands. It is also helpful that there are arrow keypads on both sides of the Monarch. The dedicated back, home, and applications buttons are very helpful as well. Overall, the layout of the controls works well for me and is intuitive. I appreciate the option to connect a qwerty keyboard because my braille typing speed will probably never match my computer keyboard typing speed. I generally found the tutorials very helpful.
Challenges: I found navigation on the Monarch to be a little slow due to the constant refreshing of the braille display. It would be nice to have the option to turn off the braille display sometimes and to navigate menus with just a screenreader. Early on, I forgot that the options menu can only be accessed by pressing space with o and not through navigating the main menu. However, this did not take long to get used to. Instead of looking up computer braille symbols for my wifi password, I just typed it with a qwerty keyboard.
Expectations: I expect the Monarch will help those seeking employment in several ways. While many individuals do well with screenreaders, others may prefer braille, or both. The Monarch will make it easier to combine both braille and audio. Giving presentations is an important part of many careers and academic settings. The Monarch will make it easier for students and professionals to read presentation notes in braille when delivering a presentation. Communicating ideas with diagrams is also important in many settings. The Monarch will help sighted and blind individuals communicate ideas through images available in the TGIL and other sources. It is unclear how easy it will be for blind individuals to make diagrams on the Monarch to communicate with sighted individuals however, similar to what is easily done with something like a draftsman kit. The Monarch will also make it easier to read and understand tables, which is important in many contexts.
Priorities: I am most interested in exploring the tactile graphics features of the Monarch, the available images in the TGIL, and how to write and graph math equations. I work in a scientific field and I know how important understanding graphics is for science, as well as many other fields. The ability to view graphics at multiple scales and from a variety of sources, such as the TGIL, will be very useful to students and individuals looking to pursue STEM fields. The same is true for math. It will be extremely useful for students to be able to write a math equation and then quickly see what type of graph it produces. I am looking forward to exploring terminal mode more because the Monarch paired with a laptop or desktop will be even more powerful.

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As much as I love technology, I do not love setting it up. Setup, in this case, was relatively easy. Being familiar with HumanWare products made setup easier; I knew, at least in part, what to expect. I had no issues setting things up, though I do agree that changing the timezone should have been mentioned somewhere; I don’t believe I’ve done that yet. I appreciate that the Monarch, like a modern Windows setup, allows for multiple ways to complete a task. I’m very much looking forward to manipulating graphics with the device.

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Setting up the Monarch was relatively easy with its guided prompts and its intuitive user interface. My biggest challenge during setup was changing the Braille grade to grade 2, because that wasn’t part of the startup process or easy to find in the settings. I did eventually locate the setting, but perhaps in an update, that setting could be a little more “front and center!”

For me, the tactile graphics were the most fascinating, so I jumped into TGL first. I hope someday it will be easy to connect the Monarch to other devices via bluetooth so that I can explore additional graphics. The most challenging graphics for me are those which require movement to the left or the right to feel the whole graphic. They also don’t update as easily when touched, which seems counter-intuitive to me, because you would want to touch the graphic as you are adjusting it to get it to a focus you want, similar to the way you would see a graphic expand and contract on a screen as you adjust it visually.

I’ve only used an Apex, so a lot of the Monarch has a similar interface–of course with different enhancements and functions since that display–but knowing that did make setup and use much easier.

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Posting with a sighted scribe, because I’m experiencing too many glitches with this platform jumping focus back to the top of the screen.

First Impressions

Setup was straightforward overall, but I was surprised at how hard it was to enter my Wi-Fi password. I wanted a way to choose UEB input for the passphrase.

Expectations

Going in, I expected richer, on-device graphics options. With a multiline display, I anticipated a simple “graphics terminal” mode to send and explore tactile diagrams/plots directly. That seems limited right now, which is disappointing because graphics is the main value proposition of a multiline device for education, employment preparation, and daily problem-solving (e.g., quick inspection of layouts, charts, maps, and data trends). I see how I can load premade graphics, but not how to make it display the graphics on a website or on my laptop.

Priorities

My top priority is to integrate Monarch with RStudio and my research workflow so I can generate tactile previews of data (trends and patterns). I want to:

  • Establish a PC-to-device workflow for sending plots/graphics directly for tactile exploration (a pass-through or graphics-terminal mode, if available).

  • Test common plot types (line, bar, scatter) for tactile readability and determine best practices for labeling, scaling, and simplification.

  • Document a repeatable pipeline from R (e.g., exporting tactile-ready output) to the Monarch for students and clients building data-literacy and workplace skills.

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My first impression of setting up the Monarch was that the process was very straightforward and user-friendly. I approached the training a bit out of order as I watched all the videos first and then working hands-on with the device. In hindsight, I wish I had explored the Monarch interactively while watching the tutorials, as I believe this would have deepened my understanding and accelerated my learning.

I anticipate that the Monarch will significantly enhance my students’ ability to become stronger teachers and more effective stewards of learning. By engaging with this technology, they will not only gain valuable knowledge but also be empowered to share that knowledge with their own students. For learners with blindness, the Monarch opens new doors by providing access to diagrams such as the anatomy of the eye that were previously difficult to obtain or completely inaccessible.

The feature I am most eager to explore further is the tactile viewer. Combined with the multi-line display, it holds tremendous promise for improving fluency rates and offering unprecedented access to visual information. I believe these tools will be truly transformative, providing opportunities that can change lives and expand possibilities for students and clients alike.

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Hello! I am also late in circling back to the modules. I unpacked the Monarch and got started with the modules in July, but I got stuck in figuring out how to connect to the wi-fi at home. (Sadly, very stuck!) Between traveling, teaching summer courses, and starting the new academic year, I am just having an opportunity to circle back to the Monarch. I finished the modules (with the exception of connecting to the wi-fi and activities requiring the internet) yesterday. Although it took longer than I would like to admit, I figured out my problem this morning and have been on a website! So excited!

I really like the Monarch Shortcut Cheat Sheet, and I have found that increasing the volume makes it much easier for me to hear everything that is being said by the Monarch. I also like that there are 2 ways to move to the next or previous item. I prefer the spacebar option.

I am excited to explore how the Monarch can be used by candidates in our graduate programs. We are actively recruiting, and I am very hopeful within the next year, we will have 1 (if not 2) individuals who are blind in the program. I also think there are many uses for all of our candidates preparing to be TVIs and O&M specialists. Some of our candidates may be in a practicum setting where a Monarch is being used, so I am delighted that we will be able to include more content about the Monarch. Last year, we had 2 TVIs demonstrate how they are using the Monarch with their K-12 students as part of a face-to-face class session. Candidates had an opportunity to have some hands-on experience with the Monarch. Now that I have a Monarch we will expand the content, particularly in the upcoming AT course.

I am planning to begin with exploring tactile graphics and then move to math!

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When setting up the Monarch, my first thought was how familiar and unfamiliar it felt compared to other braille displays. Once I figured out which button did what I was able to navigate a bit more efficiently. I used a mix of strategies: reading braille directly, using an external keyboard for my complicated Wi-Fi password, and an external monitor to confirm steps. That showed me how helpful it can be for students to have both options when starting out. Once I got into the Android settings it felt even more familiar since I have taught AT that includes Android devices. I expect the Monarch to give students flexibility to work independently while also using external tools when needed. In employment or education this means they can handle writing, reviewing diagrams, and troubleshooting with more confidence. My first priorities are the word processor and tactile viewer, followed by exploring KeyMath and HDMI mirroring for side-by-side instruction.

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Tina, I had the same challenge with Wi-Fi and also found using an external keyboard helped. I agree the cheat sheet and navigation options make a big difference. Starting with tactile graphics and math sounds like a great plan, and I look forward to hearing how you bring the Monarch into your AT course.

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Paul, I can relate to being familiar with other HumanWare products really help make setup easier for me too. I am also looking forward to exploring graphics since I think that is one of the most powerful features of the Monarch.

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I am so glad to hear that I wasn’t the only one challenged with setting up wi-fi. I haven’t tried an external keyboard or monitor yet. I am really hoping to increase my listening speed and tactile reading skills while learning to use the Monarch. :grinning_face:

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My first impressions were wow this is big. Also Im not a native refreshable braille display user so I picked peter for the voice and immediately wanted to change it, that was an adventure.

My expectations for using the monarch to help will be with orientation and mobility, navigating technology, and applying for jobs.

My priorities are the wing it app to look at using it for orientation and mobility

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My first impression of complete surprise was last year when I went to the training on the Monarch in Orlando. The surprise was feeling the tactile graphic of the Monarch. This time setting up the Monarch was easy yet setting up the Wifi SSID and putting in the password is the most difficult process. This seems to be true of any braille device. Connecting an external keyboard does help make the process easier. The TGIL, the point and click, graphing equations and the multi-lines stood out to me as the best features of the Monarch. I would expect the Monarch to help students learn braille devices and learn contracted braille, high level features such as graphing, data entry and document reading and writing. My emphasis has been using the TGIL to show a congenitally blind student a football field, a mountain range and Churchhill Downs track and the layout of an elevator panel. My emphasis and priority will be focusing on the needs of a college students, braille literacy with the use of a multiline display and a CATIS professional.

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've noticed that the Monarch shares a lot of similarities with the BrailleNote Apex, which is something that stood out to me right away. Both devices offer a lot of the same key features, like being a reliable notetaker, a braille display, and having access to apps that are really useful in both educational and professional settings. I think this could be especially helpful for people who are already familiar with the Apex and are looking for something similar but potentially more modern or portable.

For students or clients who are used to the BrailleNote Apex, I think the transition to the Monarch would be pretty smooth, since they’re used to features like note-taking, document editing, and braille reading on the go. The Monarch might have an edge in terms of connectivity (Bluetooth, easier pairing with devices, etc.) and its overall design, but the core functionality of both devices seems quite similar. That said, I think the Monarch could be a great alternative for anyone who prefers a sleeker, more lightweight option compared to the Apex.

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I am pleased to say that I did not have a hard time setting up my Monarch. I read the included Braille materials in the box and was able to set it up without any difficulties. I have had experience with different Braille displays and I was able to connect to wi-fi and update my device to the latest software update. I was also able to explore this device and understood how it worked before watching the videos or taking the Hive course. I struggle with visualizing graphics and take a longer time to understand what I am feeling. I hope my clients will not have this difficulty and I think more exposure to graphics will help. I could not wait to explore the Wind-It app and figured out how to draw items on my phone so I could feel them. It was so exciting to feel my 6-year-old’s handwriting on my Monarch. She wrote her name on my iPhone’s screen and I was able to feel it. We had so much fun playing with the Monarch and I had a blast explaining to her about the importance of having this type of device for blind individuals to assist with feeling graphics.

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My first impression of the Monarch was that it is a fascinating machine. I was surprised at how smooth and user-friendly the setup process was. Being familiar with Android products really helped me navigate the settings and get everything set up correctly. One feature that stood out to me right away was the ability to zoom in and out on an image.

I expect that the Monarch will help my clients by giving them greater access to digital materials, allowing them to read, write, and explore tactile graphics more independently. It will also support their development of academic, employment, and daily living skills by combining braille literacy with modern technology in one device.

The feature I want to explore first is the tactile image library and the files already stored on the device. My first priority is to work with the File Manager, Braille Editor, and Word Processor. These are the core tools that will help students gain independence in creating, saving, and sharing their work. I also want to focus on the Tactile Viewer so students can begin working with digital graphics, which will be important for STEM subjects and for jobs that require reading charts or diagrams. Another priority is making sure students know how to connect to Wi-Fi and use external drives, since those are essential skills for professional environments.