Problems and Solutions for ELearning Resources

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Problems and Solutions for E-LearningResources

• June 2005

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Evaluation of use of audio books known as Daisy
books for their suitability as a medium for
presenting information and learning resources to
visually impaired learners.
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Problems

• Presentation.
• Content.
• Working Method.

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Currently Use Tapes

• Easy to use.
• Tape recorders controlled with a foot pedal or
  buttons.
• A human voice is used.
• The instructions do not get in the way of the
  learning process.

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Tapes - But

• Difficult to edit.
• Difficult to find sections or skip sections.
• Learners waste time trying to find where they
  want to start from!
• Quality may be poor.
• Not possible to email or download from a server!

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Simulation of applications

• Does not work screen readers do not load the
  correct commands.
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Using Standard Audio Players(Real Player etc)

• Let us say you are learning MS Access.
• Have to keep switching between the audio player
  and MS Access.
• Cant control audio player while in MS Access.
• Does not start where user left off.
• No bookmarks, or search features.
• Does not work with foot pedal.

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Software we tested

• Express Scribe
• Plays audio file while in application user is
  learning eg MS Access.
• Works with footpedal.
• Can add one bookmark.
• But No sophisticated Navigation features.

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Software we tested

• EaseReader (works with audio files in a format
  called Daisy.
• Cannot play audio file while in application user
  is learning.
• Could not work with a foot pedal.
• But has sophisticated navigation features and can
  add many bookmarks.
• Enormous potential.

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Methods

• Used two pilot groups of students in the two
  learning resource centres visually impaired and
  learners with other disabilities.
• Since EaseReader cannot work while user is in
  another application we used non-ICT materials.
• Converted to Daisy format general information
  leaflets e.g. policies, information about the
  learning resource centre.

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Results

• Technical difficulties with installation users
  had to log in as administrator so could only use
  EaseReader with technical person present this
  limited trials.
• EaseReader currently has no network version.
• Learners even those with sight - were very
  enthusiastic about being able to search and jump
  from section to section.

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Results

• Learners thought being able to add own bookmarks
  was a great step forward.
• Sighted learners thought synchronisation of text
  with audio was good. Wanted it by word as well
  as by phrase.

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Next Steps

• Get EaseReader to work with users logged in as
  themselves and work across network.
• Get EaseReader to work with a foot pedal.
• Convert ICT resources to Daisy.
• Pilot EaseReader with ICT resources in the
  classroom.