2009-10 Access Apps Project
From RSCWMWiki
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
| Wolverhampton AES (Adult and Commuinty Learning) | The Learning Provider chose Dspeech(text to speach software) to assist with reading and to promote independence. Wolverhampton AES used an Asus eeePC to produce their report.media:Access_Apps_Report_Wolves_aes2010.docx |
| Newman University College(HE) | PowerReader and Power Talk were trialled with a learner studying History and ICT. The College used an Sony MP3 and Flip Video to produce their report.media:Case_study.doc_Halesowen.doc |
| Kidderminster College (FE) | Kidderminster College used X Mind with a student on the Childcare Learning and Development course.The learner has a history of difficulty acquiring literacy skills including low reading and writing rates, as well as short term auditory processing difficulties.media:Access_Apps_-_Kidderminster_College_Case_Study.pdf |
| Dudley MBC Adult Apprenticeship Project(Work Based Learning) | A adult learner with moderate learning difficulties finds it difficult to read and digest information.The software chosen included DSpeech a text to speech application,Sticky Notes and XMind.The college used an eeePC and an MP3 player to produce their report.media:RSC_Rewiew.doc_Dudley_MBC.pdf |
| City of Wolverhampton College (FE) | The college trailed Spr-OT and the virtual magnifier with a learner who has a visual impairment. A digital camera coupled with an Asus eeePC were used to produce the final report.media:AccessAppsWolves.doc |
| Shrewsbury Sixth Form College( Sixth Form) | A dyslexic student used X Mind and Power Reader to help with literacy and reading problems The eeePC and the camera were used to complete the Access Apps case study .media:MAGGIE_ENGLISH.pdf |
| 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
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| Sandwell College(FE) | The learner and Learning Support tutor chose XMind to assist a visual learner who benefits from using colours and pictures |to remeber informationmedia:Access_Apps_Project_REPORT_April_2010_JISC_RSC_West_Midlands.pdf |
| New College Telford (FE) | X Mind was chosen because it has the potentail to enable learners with SpLD to organise their subject notes and add detail and revise more effectively media:ACCESSIBILITY_APPS_REPORT_NCT_Summary_Xmind.pdf |
| 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 |
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Project videos
Newman University Collge talking about using PowerTalk and PowerReader
Newman University College Talking about PowerTalk and PowerReader
Kidderminster College Talking about XMind
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
