AccessApps
From RSCWMWiki
Contents |
Introduction
Access Apps is a suite of open source software which you can use with your learners to help to develop confidence and become independant with IT without having to spend lots of money.
What is Access Apps
AccessApps is an initiative supported by the JISC Regional Support Centers (RSC) and JISC TechDis. It consists of over 60 open source and freeware Windows applications, running from a USB stick. AccessApps provides a range of solutions to support writing, reading and planning as well as sensory, cognitive and physical difficulties. Try the following programmes for quick wins Rapid Set, instant way to change the background and font colour on your pc, the changes can be saved to the USB stick allowing the same settings to be used on any PC.
DSpeech, excellent Text to Speech programme that will read back text, files can be saved as MP3. This may be useful for a learner who prefers audio and also for a Dyslexic learner who may not be able to spot mistakes.
VuBar really useful for a leaner who can’t keep track of their place on a busy website or to keep track of a Useful with dyslexia, when the user skips lines or drops from one line to the next. This version allows the user to select the bar width, 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of screen width and set the slot height to the required font size. This version adds the option to lock the bar onto the mouse pointer for movement. These are only a few of the programmes available, go to RSC Scotland to take a look at the list.
Edu Apps
AccessApps has now grown and is now one little brother in the big EduApps family. In fact, AccessApps has two more siblings: LearnApps and TeachApps. Getting confused? As you may gather, EduApps is the umbrella term for THREE different collections of portable and completely free software applications.
AccessApps is the original and now famous collection of portable open source and free software. With AccessApps you get a lot of the stuff that is on LearnApps and TeachApps (see the comparison), but you also get further specialised applications which are just what you need if you want - for example - to see the screen more clearly or could do with a bit of help with using a keyboard or mouse.
External links
Links to external web sites.
Take a look at this website which will allow you to download the Access Apps Software.
http://eduapps.org/?page_id=52
View case studies for Access Apps
http://wiki.rscwmsystems.org.uk/index.php/2008-9_Access_Apps_Project
See also
You Tube Video intorducing Access Apps http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2XPM9U6GxQ
RSC contacts
Any enuqires email Alison Wootton a.wootton@wlv.ac.uk. 01902 518931
