The Accessible Resources Pilot Project
Independent use of technology and accessible e-texts.
E.A. DraffanUniversity of Southampton
Funding DCSF 2009/2010
Project Objectives
To make a real difference to the learning and lives of students with print impairment by providing direct access to curriculum materials
Some Issues of the Day Lack of access to learning materials same time
as other students Lack of support for e-text in schools, colleges
and universities Technology helpful but not always available. Lack of independence for print impaired
students
1 in 8
Accessible Digital Information Priority Comments 1 Paper – typed notes 2 Scribble around them2 Paper – PowerPoint slides 5 Scribble around them3 Electronic notes (MS word) Word docs because I can change them 4 Electronic notes (pdf file) 4 PDF are difficult to change – can’t alter the style
5 Electronic PowerPoint slides 3 Clear points – not too cluttered 6 Electronic PowerPoint slides
with embedded video 2 I like videos
7 Electronic PowerPoint slides with narration, embedded questions and explanations
1 Impatica is brilliant.
8 Podcasts – audio only 1 Keep them short and clear with text
9 Podcasts – audio and video 1 Videos are best10 On line ‘static’ sites e.g. image
banks, journal articles4 These are OK
11 On line ‘collaborative’ sites e.g. Wikipedia
3 I love Wikipedia
Access to Curriculum Materials – e-texts?
e-Book platform accessibility: JISC TechDis bridge model.
Lack of Accessible textbooks
Making the Difference…• Overcoming some of the barriers to learning
• Independence through “Personal choice when interacting with supportive resources”
Access to appropriate technology
Pupil centric
Access to individualised support
Staff time and training
Supporting TeamExperts in software for accessibility, support and training, Specialist Producers, Study Skills and Support Tutors
Liaison with external organisations and Local Authorities
Publisher PDF files
MS Word(intermediate format)
Students via VLE
Convert to preferred formatLarge print, Talking Book,
MP3 or Braille
Pupil reads curriculum materials
in preferred format
Curriculum
materials
Students
Project Framework
Specialist Producers convert
complex files onlyOCR files (if publisher files not
available)
DecisionsNot mutually exclusive!
Tools used by students
Microsoft Word documentsAccess softwareAlternative format softwarePlayback hardware / software
Tools• Create&Convert – JISC RSC Scotland SE
• TAMC from Techadapt – http://accessiblemediacenter.techadapt.com/download/index.html
• Save as Daisy and Pipeline – Office 2010 – Daisy Consortium
• iPhone and iPad options – apps for playing Daisy files e.g. InDaisy (£11.49) and Vod Lite (free and £15.49)
Teacher and Teaching Assistants’ Comments
Thank you E.A. DraffanECS, University of Southampton. E-mail: [email protected]
Slides available at: http://www.edshare.soton.ac.uk/7250/
More information available at www.mytextbook.org
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