1. Unlocking Potential Using free and Open Source technology to create accessible and engaging e-learning resources Laura Goodacre Emma Millard 26 March 2009

2. Unlocking Potential The JISC TechDis Advisory Service TechDis is the leading educational advisory service providing advice and guidance on technology and disability to promote an accessible and inclusive experience for students and staff. TechDis is a JISC funded advisory service (Joint Information Systems Committee) based in York, that: Advises funding bodies and policy makers. Provides guidance to strategic partners and intermediaries. Provides advice for management, front line and specialist staff. Provides effective resources for practitioners.

3. Unlocking Potential TechDis covers Higher, Further and Specialist Education, across the UK. Our remit is neither focused mainly around technology nor around disability but around good practice in teaching and learning that inherently broadens and enhances the student experience for all students. Help staff understand that inclusive practice is not hard – just common sense. The JISC TechDis Advisory Service

4. Unlocking Potential Resources Publications TechDis Accessibility Essentials Series Staff packs Upwardly Mobile Technology Change for Inclusion – coming soon

5. Unlocking Potential Online Resources All publications available to download www.techdis.ac.uk/getpublications Free and Open Source Software list www.techdis.ac.uk/getfreesoftware Creation of Learning Resources www.techdis.ac.uk/getcreation Resources

6. Unlocking Potential Hosted Resources Assistive Technology and Assistive and Augmentative Communication in the UK www.techdis.ac.uk/getATreport SimDis www.techdis.ac.uk/simdis Watch Words www.techdis.ac.uk/watchwords AccessApps www.techdis.ac.uk/getaccessapps

7. Unlocking Potential Robobraille RoboBraille – www.robobraille.orgwww.robobraille.org Simply email a Word document to one of their email addresses e.g. britspeech@robobraille.orgbritspeech@robobraille.org You receive a high quality synthetic speech MP3 to download. Fast service – files usually arrive within a few minutes.

8. Unlocking Potential DSpeech Allows electronic text to be converted into audio files using a computerised voice. Computerised voices arent for everyone! But they do add a degree of flexibility for those who do not like or have difficulty with reading, or who want to listen whilst doing other things. A demo is available at http://www.techdis.ac.uk/getfreesoftware under Reading Tools http://www.techdis.ac.uk/getfreesoftware

9. Unlocking Potential Audacity Simple sound editing software Good introductory tutorial at www.techdis.ac.uk/getfreesoftware under Reading Tools www.techdis.ac.uk/getfreesoftware Can add introductory music and other effects simply Could be used to easily create audio versions of documentation

10. Unlocking Potential Xerte Free learning object creator that produces accessible learning objects. Online version at www.techdisplayxerte.infowww.techdisplayxerte.info Example learning objects: http://xerte.techdis.palepurple.co.uk/play_6 http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~cczjrt/menuDemo/

11. Unlocking Potential Xerte –where to find content Images Flickr (www.flickr.com)www.flickr.com Stock Xchange (www.sxc.hu)www.sxc.hu Videos (including Flash) Camstudio Jing (www.jingproject.com)www.jingproject.com Screentoaster (www.screentoaster.com)www.screentoaster.com Audio Audacity, DSpeech, Robobraille www.readthewords.com

12. Unlocking Potential Contact Us JISC TechDis Helpdesk Email: helpdesk@techdis.ac.ukhelpdesk@techdis.ac.uk Telephone: 01904 717580