Technology

Activslate

These are small lightweight 'slates' that can be passed around learners, allowing them to interact with a computer, similar to the way that people interact with interactive whiteboards.

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Apple Mac

Apple Macs are an alternative to Windows-based PCs, and although slightly more expensive they are better at dealing with multimedia, easier to learn and use, and their reputation is that they go wrong far less often. Modern Apple Macs interact with other systems. Image courtesy of Apple.

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Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting devices over short distances. For example a learner could send an image from the mobile phone to a computer for free, or a tutor could use bluetooth to send learning materials to learners' own devices, or more usefully receiving learning materials back.

Case studies which employ this technology:

100% Retention Rate! (Hull College)

Digital still camera

Digital cameras store images digitally rather than on film, giving the benefit of being able to see the image on its built in screen immediately, as well as making it easier to use the images once taken.

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Dragon Naturally Speaking software

Dragon Dictate is a piece of software that allows a user to control their computer and 'type' by using voice alone. This is beneficial to some learners that have difficulty typing, it can speed up the typing process, and reduce injuries such as repetitive strain. Image courtesy of www.nuance.co.uk.

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EZ keys

EZ Keys for Windows is a text based communication and computer access package. It allows a user to communicate and to control the computer by means of anything from a single switch to a keyboard.

Case studies which employ this technology:

Enabling Learners to Communicate (East Riding College)

Head mounted camera

Small, lightweight cameras that can be mounted on someone's head, or on a piece of equipment (e.g. an attachment to a wheelchair). A learner can film without having to hold the camera in their hand, meaning that they can record evidence of something that they are doing (as it leaves both their hands free). It also allows someone without the manual dexterity to hold and position a camera to capture footage, by just looking at the target. Image courtesy of http://www.digitalblue.org.uk.

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Inspiration software

This widely used software was developed specifically for children with dyslexia, but has over the years changed to become more adult orientated and for wider uses than just dyslexia support. The main feature of Inspiration is the ability for an individual to create concept maps on the computer, helping people to organise thoughts, revise and plan their work.

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Interactive Whiteboard

Boards that are usually permanently mounted (but not always), onto which a computer image is projected. The tutor or the learner can then control the computer and 'write' on it by either pressing the board with their finger, or by using specially designed 'pens'. Most boards come with their own software. One advantage of the boards is they can be controlled by 'gross' motor movements, e.g. a learner with poor manual dexterity could use their fist, elbow or even head to control the computer. Many modern boards have the projector mounted on the board itself, making it easier to adjust the height of the board, which is very useful when being used by learners.

Case studies which employ this technology:

Active Learning in Active Classrooms (Leeds College of Technology)

iPod music player

iPods are devices that store and play sound files, usually music. They can also be used to play educational audio content, either created by the tutor or the learner, usually in the form of podcasts. Image courtesy of Apple.

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Laptop

Portable computers that have nearly the full functioning capacity of a desktop PC.

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Mind Genius Software

Mind Genius is a powerful concept mapping tool that can be used not just for learning, but also as a business tool for things like planning, project management and problem solving. One of its key features is the way that it exports a map into a well formatted Word document, which is very useful for learners when planning assessments.

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Minibook (e.g. asus eee)

Very small and light, highly portable computers, With a screen less than 7" wide. These don't have the full functioning capacity of a larger PC or laptop, but do most of the things that most people want - e.g. using the internet, word processing, working with images - and most have built in webcams to record basic video footage or still images. Many of these use Open Source software rather than commercial software like Microsoft, resulting in them being very cheap and affordable. A downside of these is the small keyboard size which some will find prohibitive, but their small size and weight makes them ideal for taking into lessons for note taking in a session.

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Mobile phone

As well as the traditional use of a mobile phone (speech and text messaging), there is now additional functionality such as taking photos and videos, browsing the web, accessing files, as a calculator, etc. Educationally, one of the main attractions is that most learners own this type of equipment.

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Multi-sensory equipment

Music, lights and sound equipment used to create a multi sensory learning environment.

Case studies which employ this technology:

The Use of Multi-Sensory Equipment with Disabled Learners (Barnsley College)

Neo by Alphasmart

The Alphasmart is a small, rugged device with a keyboard and small display that a learner can take into a lesson and use to take notes. The notes can then be easily transferred to a full capacity computer to be accessed. Image Source - Seen @ Paul Graham's talk Originally uploaded by davidcrow

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Nintendo DS

This is a small 2 screen gaming console, where the lower screen is used as a touch screen. These devices are capable of connecting to the internet, as well as communicating with other nearby machines. A common use is the 'Brain Training' series of software that helps learners with various thinking and memory skills. Image source - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:DSLite_white_trans.png

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Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii is primarily a gaming device but one which tracks motion in 3 dimensions. The games alone can be used for inclusion activity and physical activity with cardio-vascular benefits. There is also a range of movement and flexibility benefits. The Wii can also be used like a mouse to control a computer, which for some learners with movement difficulties could be very useful. Image source - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Wii_Wiimotea.png

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PDA

PDA is short for a Personal Digital Assistant and they are, in essence, very small computers with the ability to view and interact with information and record sound. Some will connect with the internet and numerous other functions. Many learners are using them to help them organise their time by using the calendar facility with built-in alarms.

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PebblePad software

This is a piece of portfolio software, initially produced by the University of Wolverhampton, currently made available for a modest fee. The software is designed to be easy to use and, in particular, encourage reflective practice. Image courtesy of www.pebblepad.co.uk.

Case studies which employ this technology:

Using an e-Portfolio System and Tablet PCs to Support Disabled Learners (North Lindsey College)

Playstation 3

Primarily a type of games consul, but with the added functionality of being able to store and play multi-media, and connect to the Internet, it can be used as a teaching and learning tool, that many young people in particular will be comfortable using. It doesn't have its own built in screen, so needs to connect to a TV, projector or similar. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Playstation3vector.svg

Case studies which employ this technology:

Gadgetastic! (Wyke Sixth Form College)

PSP

This is similar to a playstation, but this is a truly mobile version, with built in small screen, and being small and portable. Although primarily a gaming device, it can connect to the Internet, as well as store and play multi-media files, giving it, its educational benefit. image source - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Psp1.png

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Red Halo software

Red Halo allows you to manage files and software installation for multiple types of mobile devices. A wireless connection allows you to syncnronsie between the devices and the server. What this means is that it is a very useful means of collecting student created files from their mobile device, as well as sending resources out to the learners.

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Smartphone

A mobile phone with advanced capabilities such as PC-like functionality, For some, a Smartphone is a phone that has a Windows based OS whilst for others it might mean that there are advanced PIM capabilities and a good camera. In all cases the device will have full internet capabilities and often a full qwerty keyboard too. image courtesy of Apple

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Tablet PC

These are small laptop type devices but with the additional functionality of the screen working as a touch screen, allowing a user to 'write' on the screen with a stylus and record notes. The learner can also control the computer with the stylus rather than using a mouse of touch pad, which for some learners is easier to do.

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TextHelp - Read & Write Gold software

This piece of software has evolved over many years and provides various forms of support for people needing help with any form of textual information. This includes the ability to have text read out to the learner, a phonics-based dictionary and thesaurus that learns words the learner regularly uses, and a tool to 'read' information from PDF files, etc.

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Ultra Mobile PC

Ultra-mobile PCs are the result of a joint development by Microsoft, Intel and Samsung. To qualify as a UMPC, a device must have a screen size of 7 inches or smaller. According to Microsoft and its partners, the devices are intended for portable productivity and entertainment. UMPCs may run a full version of the Windows XP operating system. Image source - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/UMPC_Samsung-Q1-Ultra.JPG

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Video camera

Video cameras come in various forms and sizes but almost all now record digitally, making it easier for any captured footage to then be used on a computer. Cameras can be used by staff to record learners' achievements or by learners themselves, either as a part of a learning process, or in order to capture own evidence of achievement.

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Voice recorder

Voice recorders are small, simple devices that allow a learner to either take their own notes to play back later, or to record a tutor, so that they can play the information back later.

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