Developing auraleLearningobjects

1
Developing aural-eLearning-objects

• Kevin Brace
• eLearning development officer
• Harper Adams University College

2
developing aural-elearning-objects

• Methodology
• Perceived need
• Hardware
• Software
• Audio CODECs
• Distribution via VLE
• Design Accessibility
• User feedback data analysis
• Conclusions recommendations

3
Perceived need 01

• A cohort of 1580. 220 registered dyslexic _at_
  Harper Adams 14 - very high nationally.
• students accessibility regs (SENDA)
• All first year must study APD
• These key skills reqd through all
  undergraduate study
• Learning styles primary sensory modalities
• engaging interactive resources

4
Perceived need 02

• Access to technology on the increase ipods /Mp3
  players
• multimedia media/smart phones.
• Students are fully speccd up with cheap
  technology to access listen to
• podcasts,
• streaming audio,
• or just download audio files.

5
Hardware

• Digital Recorder Features include
• High voice quality in DSS format
• Hands free dictation with optional footswitch
• Over 11 hours recording time on 32MB xD picture
  card. (optional 512 MB xD card available)
• Up to 7 folders for voice file management (199
  files per folder)
• Editing functions (overwrite/insert/delete/securit
  y lock)
• Customisable functions to user needs
• Direct dictation into PC through USB cable
• Compatible with voice recognition software (now
  includes a direct link to your Dragon voice
  recognition software)
• http//www.pc-voice.co.uk/mainpages/products_digit
  ald.asp

• Good alternatives
• Olympus WS-320M 135.00
• Sharp PA-VR10e 75.00
• Genius MP3-DJ520 100.00

6
Software

• Discovered that Text Read/Write Gold reads the
  page saves to an audio file.
• Free, ReadWords lite, Word plugin

http//www.readplease.com/english/products /
7
Software
http//audacity.sourceforge.net/
Edits converts uncompressed WAV To Mp3
8
Audio CODECs

• More Free audio editors here
• http//100-downloads.com/

Compressed
9
VLE/ WebCT
http//webct.harper-adams.ac.uk8900/webct/public/
home.pl
10
VLE/ WebCT
11
Design Accessibility
Accessible features

• Play .wma
• Download .mp3

12
Survey data methodology

• 12 survey questions using Likert scale to elicit
  quantitative data
• Comments field to elicit qualitative data
• Gradual lead in double checking , questions 3,4
  5 illustrate this.
• Used APD Agriculture cohort
• Will cross reference with WebCT logs, as I
  captured most names. See spreadsheet here

13
Survey data results

• 67 responses from Agriculture cohort

Should be 37 gt 41?
Strongly Agree Agree Dont know
Disagree Strongly Disagree
Disparity??
14
Survey data results
Double checked - concur
15
Survey data results

• Some indication significant differences of this
  non parametric data.
• Could also use Chi square.
• i.e. each question must be treated as discreet
  units.
• Each question ( therefore parts of) are separate
  entities.
• Needed to reinforce with other methods (focus
  groups) to cross check.

16
Survey data results
17
Survey data results

• Have you any general comments about the APD
  resources on WebCT /or how they could be
  improved.
• The search engine
• With a few more audio, video and animations the
  site could increase in use dramatically
• Found them exceptionally helpful for both
  presentation and report
• Poor attendance so was not aware of the resources
  on WebCT
• More examples would be useful of correct practice
• More info on how to download assignments via
  WebCT
• Make them slightly more succinct, to be absorbed
  more easilyI
• found audio and text useful for me. Having both
  if preferred as text is easy to find one specific
  point but I found audio easier when listening to
  a whole resource
• Excellent help provided to gain better knowledge
  of subjects
• Possibly more audio, but in general it's been
  really useful
• Extremely useful - especially the guide to citing
  references and presentation tips
• Being able to access it over WLAN as it doesn't
  work anymore, make it clearerI
• personally think that more audio and video would
  suit my learning better
• No, quite good overall (5)

18
Conclusions recommendations

• Data analysis inconclusive, further work reqd
• Easy to use equipment (Dictaphone, pda or mobiles
  can record voice)
• Relatively cheap hardware (70 gt 150)
• Free software (open source) easy to use
• Promotes stronger learning modalities (coping
  strategies), dyslexia
• Utilises current easily accessible technology
  (mp3 mobile phones)
• Improves accessibility, offering alternative ways
  to present information
• Quickest way to create an eLearning object from
  scratch for novices
• Improves sense of ownership of resources