2008-9 Access Apps Project
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Contents |
Introduction
In 2009, the Regional Support Centre Scotland and JISC TechDis developed Access Apps - a USB stick which features over 60 open source and freeware applications for teaching and learning which support writing, reading and planning as well as sensory, cognitive and physical difficulties.
Aims of the project
15 learning providers from the West Midlands region (spanning FE, HE, Adult and Community Learning and Work Based Learning) were invited to trial an application from the Access Apps stick with a learner in their organisation. They were then asked to report their findings back to the RSC with a view to the report being written into a full case study for publication on the Excellence Gateway or in RSC publications.
To help with the report process, the providers were asked to choose two pieces of equipment to help them produce the report. These were:
- Digital camera
- Disgo video camera
- Digital Voice Recorder or MP3 player
- Asus EeePC
Each provider also produced a short report on the equipment they used.
Summary of Project Reports
| Mercia Management (Work based Learning) | Provider chose Freemind (mind mapping software) to assist planning and organisation within a learner's job role. Mercia used an Asus eeePC to produce their report.media: Accessibility_Apps_Case_Study_from_Mercia_Management.doc |
| Halesowen College (FE) | MindMap and Diary organizer were trialled with a dyslexic student studying Beauty. The College used an Asus eeePC to produce their report.media:Case_study.doc_Halesowen.doc |
| Coventry College (FE) | A mature visually impaired learner used the Virtual Magnifying glass and the NVDA screen reader in a support session to complete an assignment. Additionally, a dyslexic student on a Computer Field Service Technician course used the screen background application, Rapidset. The provider used a Disgo camera to capture the report.media: Coventry_casestudy_Equipment_review_software_apps.doc |
| Regent College (Specialist College) | A learner with moderate learning difficulties and challengine behaviour used the DSpeech text to speech application whilst on work experience to help with her duties. The college used an eeePC and an MP3 player to produce their report.media:Case_Study_Regent_College_(2).doc |
| Stratford Upon Avon College (FE) | The college used DSpeech and Sticky Notes with a dyslexic student studying Media. The Sticky Notes served as useful reminders whilst DSpeech helped with script writing for his course. A digital camera coupled with an Asus eeePC were used to produce the final report.media: Stratford_Accessibility_apps_Case_Study.doc |
| Wolverhampton City Council (Adult and Community Learning) | A dyslexic student used DSpeech and the Sage dictionary. The eeePC made the Access Apps stick more accessible.media:WOLVES_Accessibility_Apps_Case_Study_revised2.doc |
| Harper Adams University College (Higher Education) | The learner and Learning Support tutor chose FreeMind, Rapidset, Vu-Bar (screen reading aid) and the Virtual Magnifying Glass to assist with structuring and organising work, alleviate screen glare, to aid tracking when reading on screen and to help magnify small print.media:Hapercasestudy.doc |
| King Edward VI College | Three applications were trialled - DSpeech, VUBar and The Sage (an online dictionary) with two dyslexic students.media: King_Edward_VI_College_Stourbridge_Access_Apps_Project.doc |
| Royal National College (Specialist College) | As a college which supports blind and/or partially sighted students, they chose NVDA which served as a useful portable screen reader. RNC used the digital camera and an eeePC to produce the report.media: Rnc_access_case_study.doc |
| Walsall Adult Community College (Adult and Community Learning) | An adult learner used the Mouse Bar application. This enables learners with dexterity and motor problems to place the cursor on a picture, web address or command without the need to hold it still or try to click - it can be set to click wherever it remains still for a few seconds. The college used a digital camera to capture the learner's media:Walsall_SC_report_on_AA.doc |
| Derwen College | Derwen trialled VuBar to support a 20 year old learner with visual problems and severe learning difficulties. VuBr allows learners to focus on a specific area of text and change colour, background and text size depending on individual needs. The college used the Asus eeePC to produce their findings.media:CASE_STUDY_FOR_RSC_MAY_09.doc |
| Worcester College of Technology | A dyslexic student used VuBar to support reading on screen, particularly when performing internet searches. The colleges used the digital camera and Sony MP3 recorder to capture the student using the application.media: Worcester_Accessibility_Apps_Case_Study.docmedia:WORCESTER_Lara's_Slide_Show.ppt |
Project videos
Harper Adams University College talking about using the AccessApps Magnifier
Harper Adams University College Talking about Freemind
Harper Adams University College Talking about Rapidset
RNC Talking about Screen Reader
Outcomes
The final reports will be used as the basis for case studies which will appear on the Excellence Gateway website or in RSC West Midlands publicity from September 2009 onwards
Links
- Download Access Apps from RSC Scotland's website: [1]
- Visit the Excellence Gateway for examples of good practice in e-learning: [2]
Contact details / further information
If you would like to find out more about the project please contact Alison Wootton at:A.Wootton@rsc-wm.ac.uk or Tel: 01902 518984
