Try Before You Buy Kit

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Technical > Technical Forum, 29th April 2009 > Technical Forum 15th November 2007 > Technology in learning spaces > Try Before You Buy Kit

Introduction

The JISC Regional Support Center West Midlands offers a service for regional learning Providers to trial a variety of assistive technologies. The Try Before You Buy service allows learning providers to borrow accessibility and mobile learning equipment for a six - week period to raise awareness of assistive technology and help to make an informed decision when purchasing such equipment.

The Kit Bag

The bags are available for Workbased Learning, Adult and Commuinty Learning, Further Education, and Learning Resources. The equipment includes.

Reading Pen

E-Book Reader

Flip Video Recorder

Zed Pen

Digital Camera

Digital Voice Recorder

Sony Walkman MP3 player

Wireless Keyboard and Mouse

EeePC

Ergo Mouse

New Equipment

We have recently added three new pieces of equipment to the kit bags. These include a iPads, Live Scribe and the Sanyo Xacti dual cameras.

The Livescribe will allow you to record what your hearing and make notes at the same time. You are able to save your notes to the computer and export as PDF files. Also you can purchase a separate piece of software to convert your handwriting to text.

The iPad adds versatility for the learner to be able to use multi media and integrate accessibility options such as the Voice Over and Screen Magnification for visual impaired learners.For a learner who has mobility and dexterity issues the simple touch screen will help with navigation. The learner can also chose to use the Sticky Keys and Slow Keys and Mouse Keys if they have diffculty operating the iPad.

Education Page Apple http://www.apple.com/education/special-education/

There are several Apps which may help using the iPad these include:

Dragon Dictation http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dragon-dictation/id341446764?mt=8

Dargon Search http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dragon-dictation/id341446764?mt=8

Speak It http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/speak-it-text-to-speech/id308629295?mt=8

The Sanyo Dual Xacti retails for approximately £120.00- £166 this gives you access to both a camera and a video camera. Accessibility wise this is easy to carry and easy to operate with really only three buttons to navigate. It is excellent quality with 10 megapixel and 5X Zoom however reviews do state that the video is relatively slow for capturing fast moving objects.

Sanyo Camera http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camcorders/sanyo-xacti-vpc-cg10/4505-6500_7-33588391.html Reviews

Information Sheets

I have created a few information sheets giving the pros and cons of the equipment for learners with disabilities. This is really only the basic information. If you would like to create your own review or add information to one of the help sheets please complete the survey monkey short survey asking for your views on the equipment. The link to the survey is http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FBG6YLS

The Zed Pen media:The_Zed_Pen_(2).doc

The Sony Reader media:Sony_Reader_PRS.doc

The Reading Pen media:The_Reading_Pen.pdf‎

The Livescribe Pulse Smartpen media:The_Live_Scribe_Pulse_Smart_Pen_MG.pdf‎

Try Before You Buy Summary

The loan of the kit bags has been in operation since September 2009, the scheme has been really positive with 23 learning providers taking part. The results so far make interesting reading. The report identifies that the equipment has been used with learners with varying disabilities from Dyslexia to severe learning difficulties. The summary highlights the most accessible piece of equipment as the Big Keys Keyboard, the most popular as the Zed Pen and the MP3 Player.The summary was written in July 2011 this will be updated in 2012. The report can be accessed by clicking on this link (Try Before you Buy Summary Report) (Try Before you Buy Summary Report)