Digital Math - Creating and Editing Digital Math with Equatio


Introduction

Equatio is is a math and chemistry accessibility tool developed by Everway (formally Texthelp). It allows users to create mathematical expressions, Equations, and symbols digitally using speech input, handwriting recognition, screenshot, and predictive text. Equatio provides a Math Mentor, an AI tutor, directly within the Equatio toolbar. Equatio can make math more interactive and accessible for students, especially those with learning disabilities or those who prefer a digital workflow.

Contents

Instructions

Equatio Platforms and Features

Equatio runs on your desktop, as a Google Chrome extension, in Canvas, and on mobile devices. Different platforms have different Equatio features. To see a list of features on each platform, visit Everway's Equatio Free Vs. Premium website.

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Getting Equatio

The Accessible Technologies group provides Equatio to Virginia Tech affiliates - faculty, students, staff, and alumni - at no cost. 

Downloading and Installing the Desktop Application
  1. Go to Texthelp Equatio and click your operating system. 
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  2. Open the downloaded application. If prompted, allow the installation. 
  3. Click Accept and Install.
  4. Open Equatio by clicking its icon on the desktop.
  5. You will be prompted to authorize Equatio. Click Sign in with Google.
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  6. Enter your full Virginia Tech email address and click Next.
  7. Log in using your Virginia Tech Username (PID) and password, and complete the 2-factor authentication. 
  8. The Equatio bar will appear at the bottom of your computer screen, above the Windows or MacOS toolbar.
Adding the Google Chrome Extension
  1. In Google Chrome, go to Equatio - Math made digital and click Add to Chrome.
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  2. Click Add Extension.
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  3. The extension will be added to Google Chrome.
    • The extension icon will appear in the search bar. 
    • The Equatio bar will appear at the bottom of your screen.
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Accessing Equatio in Canvas
  1. Go to Canvas' Rich Content Editor in the Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Pages, Quizzes, or Syllabus tools. 
  2. Open the Equatio extension in Chrome or Equatio desktop application and create the desired math content.
  3. Insert the math content by clicking on the Insert Math button or the Copy Math As button for other formats (image, LaTeX, MathML, Spoken Text, HTML, SVG, URL, or Download PNG). You must be typing inside the Rich Content Editor box for the Insert Math button to appear on the Equatio toolbar.
Accessing Equatio Mobile

See Using Equatio Mobile for instructions on how to use Equatio on a mobile device.

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Setting Up Equatio

  1. On the Equatio bar, click Equatio, then Options.
  2. In the Options window, click:
    • Math Options to set font size and turn on/off predictive help for math and chemistry Equations and for formulas. 
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    • Toolbar Options to enable and disable Equatio features on the toolbar. Scroll to see all the features. Image of the above instructions
  3. Click Save to save changes you made under each options screen. 

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Using Equatio Features

There are many features on the Equatio toolbar. Visit the Equatio Feature Tour webpage to learn how to use each feature as well as how to customize your Equatio toolbar. Features will vary among the Equatio application or Equatio Chrome extension.

Click on each feature to learn how to use it: 

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Using Equatio Mobile

Equatio Mobile supports speech recognition, stylus-written Equations, and camera/photo recognition of Equations. It functions differently from the Equatio desktop application and Google Chrome extension, so it is described separately here. 

Equatio Mobile is a limited version of Equatio. To use it, you must: 

Go to Equatio Mobile to access a video on how to use Equatio on your mobile device.

Expand written instructions here
  1. Open Equatio on your desktop or open the Equatio Chrome extension in your document or Canvas site. Make sure you are signed into Equatio.
  2. Go to Equatio Mobile in your mobile browser or click the mobile icon on the Equatio desktop application to scan the QR code using the camera on your mobile device. This will launch Equatio on your phone.
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  3. Tap Sign in with Google and log in with your Virginia Tech Google account. 
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  4. Select Active Document to choose a location you are working from or click on Create a New Document.
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    1. If you clicked on Active Documents, choose the location you want to use, such as the Google Doc or the Canvas location where there is a Rich Content Editor, such as a Canvas Page or Assignment.
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  5. Click on one of the icons on the bottom tool bar to create math content.
    • Click on the pencil icon to handwrite it
    • Click on the microphone icon to speak it.
    • Click on the camera icon to take a picture.
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  6. Once you've created the content, click on the green check mark icon.
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  7. Click on Save as math.
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  8. To insert it into your document or Canvas site, click the blue upload button.
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Resources for Equatio Mobile

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Troubleshooting

Can't Log Into Equatio
  1. Make sure you have access to Equatio through Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech affiliates - faculty, staff, students, and alum - can use Equatio for free through Virginia Tech. Others cannot. 
  2. Try launching Equatio on another platform. Choose from the desktop application, the Google Chrome extension, or Equatio mobile. 
  3. If you still can't access Equatio, go to 4help.vt.edu, log in, and click Get Help. Explain your problem and submit. 
Trouble Using Equatio
  1. See Texthelp's website:
  2. Contact Texthelp Support: 

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Getting Help

Resources

For technical support and information on accessibility:

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