AccessApps – Free Software

 

ACCESSAPPS is an inittiative developed by the Scottish JISC Regional Support Centres in cooperation wit JISC TechDis. It consists of more than 50 open source and freeware assistive technology applications that can be used from a USB memory stick on a computer.

All you have to do is to go to JISC website and download AccessApps to your USB stick. There are three download options: – The Works that includes all the programmes and guides which is a 2Gb download, – Go Lite a 64Mb download containing a selection of most popular apps, and – Pick n Mix  you can choose the applications you want.

Here is a list of  some of the guides and applications on AccessApps:

Guides – AccessApps Help, Accessibility Essentials, Aspire Learning.

Open Office

Planning & Organisation – Freemind -mind-mapping, Hott notes – sticky notes, Sunbird calendar

Reading and Writing Support – AMIS-Daisy reader, DSpeech – text to speech, PowerReader – dyslexia reading support, RapidSet – change font/background, TheSage – dictionary & Thesaurus, Typefaster – typing tutor, VuBar – read text one line at a time

Visual Support - QuickRes – change resoltuion, Sonar – cursor ring, Virtual Magnifying Glass

Accessible Browsers – Mozilla Firefox, WebbIE – text-based browser

Keyboard/Mouse Alternatives - Click-N-Type – virtual keyboard, Dasher, MouseTool – automated clicking

Multimedia Tools – Artweaver – art package, Audacity -record/edit audio, Audiobook Cutter – split mp3 files, GIMP – edit images, UnFREEz – create gif animations, VLC Media Player

Presentation Tools – Camstudio Portable, KompoZer – web editor, Scribus – desktop publishing

Utilities - 7-Ziop Portable – file archiver, ClamWin – anti-virus, Converber – converter, Sumatra – read PDFs, TopOCR – convert images to text

Games – Anagramarama – word puzzle, Jooleem, Othello – board game, Stranded – island adventure, Sudoku

Installable Software - Install Thunder screen reader

JISC website has all the instructions. Very easy to follow.

 

 

Text to Speech Tools for Students with Special Needs

ICT can help meet many of the needs of learners with special needs. ICT can help our students accessing their course content by reading text to speech, increases their independence, ameliorates visual discomfort or stress, offers alternative forms of recording written information and helps them improving and practising Literacy skills.

With appropriate programs and ICT tools special needs pupils gain confidence, work independently, demonstrate what they know and can do, overcome frustration and raise self esteem and also become less tired.

Here’s a list of some good tools and tips to reduce learners visual stress:

 

ClaroRead is a powerful multi-sensory software solution for supportung computer users who struggle with reading and writing due to dyslexia or othe conditions. This software provides a high quality text to speech tool that is extremely easy to use.

Our learners can start writing and reading independently with the support of this software’s tools. By making the computer speak any text with a human voice, text documents can be proofed read out loud as well as web pages, emails and any other text.

There is a portable version of Clarosoftware on a USB memory stick, it speaks back text as it is typed, includes voices of over 25 languages, provides a single Check Button that combines a homophone dictionary, thesaurus, reference dictionary and spellchecker, making the checking of text and documents easier and more comprehensive.

Thunder on iBBC Player

Thunder is another screenreader talking software for people with little or no sight. Just go to www.screenreader.net and download the software for FREE! Watch Thunder users on iBBC player. 

Reading large amounts of text on screen can be difficult for those with literacy and visual impairments. Browsealoud is another piece of software that reads webpages aloud for people who find it difficult to read online.

Hope these tools are useful for everyone!

Create Your Own Podcast

What is a podcast?

 

 

A podcast is a feed used to share out audio or video content, such as a weekly music show or video program. Like blogs, podcasts have many different formats and topics, from talk shows to cooking.

 

Podcasting has now become popular as an alternative way of providing content that can be listened to whenever, wherever and as many times as the listener wants. The idea that a podcast can be produced by just about anyone with access to the Internet has generated a lot of interest in educational circles.

The call is not only in providing supplementary listening input for students, but that students themselves can become involved in recording and producing their own podcasts.

How do you produce your own podcasts?

You can do this with a handheld MP3 with recording facilities. I have got one in my drawer, if you need it!

You can use the program Audacity on our PCs.

 

 

Using Audacity allows you to edit out the mistakes, change the order of students and add music and sound effects, creating a more professional show.

Don’t worry! Audacity is amazingly simple to use.

OR there is another extremely quick and easy way of creating your podcasts that is signing up podomatic website.

http://www.podomatic.com/

You will easily be able to make a recording, save it, find it, keep it nicely organised, embed it on EZone or send it to your students.

Signing up is completely FREE.

Once you log in, the site gives you lots of information about podcasting, you can search for podcasts on whatever topic you want, and if you go to My Podcast area you can create your own podcasts.

To produce your podcast just click on post new episode, click on Record with your webcam or microphone and hit on the record button. You can preview your recording or re-record if you are not happy with it.

After that you press on Use Recording, move on to Next Step, give your podcast a title and write a short description, you can add pictures to it, tag it and then punch the Post Episode button.

And that’s it! Really easy! Give me a shout if you need a hand.

Good podcasting! Enjoy!