TechDis services old and new,

just what can we do for you?

Regional Support Centre Summer Fair 2012

An introduction to our services, old and newo Staff development

o TechDis Tuesdayso Xerte Fridayo Accessible IT Practice

Support Programme

o TechDis Toolboxo Aimed at learnerso Working smarter with

technology

o TechDis Voiceso Jack & Jesso Text-to-speech

o SBRIo MyDocStoreo Navitexto uKinecto PSLT

TechDis Tuesdays

o Fortnightly updates on Tuesdays, 13.00o Intro dialogue (~10 minutes)oDetailed discussion with delegates (~20-30

mins)o Show notes to highlight further readingo Podcast, transcript, discussion summary and

show notes all posted online

o www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/tdtuesdays

TechDis Tuesdays – varied topicso Mobile learning for

inclusiono Free VI tools – are

they worth it?o Accessible docs –

why and how?

Xerte Fridays

o Last Friday of most months at 13.00 hrs o (Not Jul, Aug and Dec)o 45-60 minuteso Demo of techniques and discussion of their value

www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/xertefriday

Xerte Fridays

You follow simultaneously on ‘live’ Xerte object

Use session recording to practice techniques in your own time

Aimed at both beginners and those familiar but wanting to update

Accessible IT Practice Support programme – why it matters

Technophobeso Worry about using IT with

learners.o Annoyed by traditional IT

courses with their focus on secretarial skills.

o Lack the confidence to be creative with technology.

Technophileso Like playing around with

kit and software.o Use tools that are

personally interesting to them.

o Prefers new and shiny (even if old and dull is effective!)

Accessible IT Practice Support – What makes it different?

o Teaching and learning focused.o Explicit accessibility/inclusion.o Practical with sample resources.o 90 mins online support.o Built in Moodle access for adding custom links / info.o Built in Xerte access for building skills.o Draws together a wide range of other resources.o Can be used for pick and mix “just in time training” but is

also mapped to ITQ standards with advice for internal assessors.

Accessible IT Practice Support Programme & ITQ

o 12 modules focus on effective and inclusive use of IT.o Mapped to the ITQ framework with City & Guilds, so

participants can gain qualification.

Accessible IT Practice Support Programme - topics

o User Fundamentals,o Text-to-Speech software, o Improving Productivity

using IT, o Using the Internet, o Word processing

Software, o Using Audio Software,

o Spreadsheet Software, o Presentation Software, o Website Software, o Xerte Software, o Ebooks, o Web tools.

Find out more at www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/itq

BIS Partnership

o Three projects for the benefit of disabled and disadvantaged learners.o TechDis Voiceso TechDis Toolboxo Small Business

Research Initiative (SBRI)

TechDis VoicesWhat is text-to-speech?

TechDis VoicesWhat’s the big issue?

or

TechDis VoicesWhat happened?

Open, competitive tender.

Voice artists x12

Jess / Jack

User feedback

TechDis VoicesWho will benefit?

o People who prefer to listen.o People who prefer to multitask.o People with better oral than literacy skills.o People who like making use of dead-time

eg travelling, queuing etc.o People who don’t carry around files but do

carry around phones.o People with print impairments.o Tutors who want to give more options to

learners.

Listen to them.

TechDis VoicesHow do I get started?

• Make sure you are eligible (post 16 learning provider in England delivering publicly funded courses).

• Go to www.jisctechdis.ac.uk/voices• Follow the instructions and links.

TechDis Toolboxwww.jisctechdis.ac.uk/tbx

TechDis Toolbox

o Aimed directly at end users – learners.

o a collection of resources which give useful hints and tips on technologies that can help individuals work quicker, slicker and smarter.

o .o  

TechDis Toolbox

o Developed by learners for learners

o Bite-sized videos, short guides, and animations

o small bits of just-in-time information that can be easily absorbed

Small Business Research Initiative – text projects

MyDocStore – iansystquick and easy transfer of files between devices whilst converting them into the user’s preferred format.

Navitext - System Associates improved navigation and accessibility to books and documents for people who are visually impaired, identifies key navigation points in a text and provides easy ways of moving through it and finding what is needed.

Due for completion in January 2013

SBRI - Gesture recognition projectso uKinect -

GameLabUKUsing Microsoft Kinect technology, to help users learn and improve their Makaton sign language skills in a fun and engaging way.

o Portable Sign Language Translator (PSLT) - TechnablingThe PSLT translates a range of sign languages into text. It is portable, flexible and works with a wide variety of handheld camera-enabled devices such as smartphones.

Due for completion in June 2013

This has been just a small sample of what JISC TechDis has to offer.

Visit our main website for more advice on technologies for inclusion.

www.jisctechdis.ac.uk