Digital Curriculum Resources Dr. Sarah Morley Wilkins Principal Manager, Centre for Accessible Information RNIB Overview Digital access in schools for print-disabled learners Digital resources to support learners Training / guidance resources for staff Shiny stuff Impact on staff and learners The future Team effort! Digital access in schools – 1 Barriers to reading standard textbooks for 1/10 learners Varying reading needs of print-disabled learners Rapid growth of accessible tech: mobiles, tablets, apps, social networking – policy implications Digital publishing: not necessarily accessible [3 photographic images are shown: A boy using a laptop A boy using a textbook in School A girl reading Braille] Digital access in schools – 2 Isolated practitioners with expertise Range of IT and AT skills IT network requirements Time-consuming location and conversion of resources Skilled process Duplication of effort Limited training and guidance resources [Photographic image of a group of 5 people using computers] Barriers – impact on learners Little or delayed textbook access Unwieldy, inflexible formats Reduced participation, motivation, literacy, achievement Limited independent learning skills Social isolation Lack of technology skills for life [Photographic image of a boy sitting at a desk with his head in his hands] Accessible digital reading solutions [6 photographic images are shown: A person wearing headphones A daisy player An Amazon Kindle An iPhone with earphones A person using an iPad A Humanware Brailliant] Digital accessible curriculum resource collections Plus training and guidance for staff: www.booksforallscotland.org.uk www.Load2Learn.org.uk Load2Learn – RNIB and Dyslexia Action For staff to support print-disabled learners Downloadable accessible curriculum resources and training An integrated collection of: Textbooks, images, past exam papers, sheet music, worksheets 2,400 books and 2,400 images (increasing daily): Multiple file formats and accessible formats: Word, MP3, DAISY, Kindle, EPUB, PDF, CorelDraw Ready to use electronically, also easily customisable Content from: RNIB, educators, publishers, exam boards, arts and leisure Structured Word files – the key! Styles give structure for navigation and consistency Easy to use immediately or to modify Easy to convert to other accessible formats [2 images are shown, demonstrating how to structure Word documents: A computer monitor with text and a picture A computer monitor with large print text] Accessible images Tactile and large print images with descriptions Use on-screen or print out Print-ready and editable files [2 photographic images are shown: A boy using a Braille textbook A girl using a large print textbook] Guidance for staff To reduce isolation, scarce expertise, and lack of technical knowledge: For all types of staff role Factsheets, tips, help, ‘how to’ guides, videos Online training course Immediate and cost-effective Case studies Forum coming soon [Photographic image of a woman sitting at a desk reading and another woman standing next to her pointing to a page] Shiny stuff – 1 Timely solution to an immediate and medium-term problem Legal framework to safeguard copyright Content Automated publisher book request-fulfilment Easy upload, uses Book Data Service Quality threshold, validation Automated back-end file converter tools Cross-referenced metadata User-traceable watermarking [2 images are shown: An Oxford geography textbook Diagram of the lungs] Shiny stuff – 2 User features Group membership and management Clever search: basic and advanced Filters: geographic, format, educational level Browse categories Engaging content eNewsletter and Twitter Access through other software for authenticated members Positive outcomes for staff and learners Access and efficiency Resource sharing Awareness of need Standards and skills Access and choice Independent study Confidence and skills Enjoyment Improved behaviour Achievement [4 photographic images are shown: A School boy looking at the camera 2 girls using a laptop and laughing A boy using a laptop A girl reading Braille] The future for digital curriculum resources Growing collection(s) of assets – adaptable Improved IT skills – teachers and learners Increased recognition of learner’s needs Influencing accessibility and affordability: Publishing: “Born Digital” and “Born Accessible” Complex education content Digital learning and assessment Mainstream and assistive technology 3D printing Take action now – go digital! Review your learners’ reading needs Register for Load2Learn and Books For All and start using resources and training content! Promote digital resources and contribute content Embed school-wide digital curriculum tech, resources and skills Look at RNIB’s pages on tablets in the classroom: www.rnib.org.uk/classroomtablets Provide us with impact evidence [Photographic image of Mother and Son using a laptop at a desk with a pile of books next to them] www.load2learn.org.uk info@load2learn.org.uk 0300 303 8313 sarah.morelywilkins@rnib.org.uk