A suite of new learning resources is now available online courtesy of the successful JISC/ Higher Education Academy Collaboration initiative. Each module shows how resources and methods can be adapted with technology, to deliver teaching more inclusively to the widest possible audience.
The modules in the JISC TechDis ‘Teaching Inclusively using Technology’ series have five constituent elements. These are:

- preparing Your Learning

- delivering Learning (Lecture/Classroom)

- delivering Learning (Practical/Fieldwork/Placement)

- delivering Learning (Online)

- assessing Learning

Featuring illustrative and time-saving presentations these modules are already benefitting people delivering higher education. Different, tailored versions of the modules have also been designed by Higher Education Academy Subject Centre and JISC Regional Support Centre (RSC) staff, to broaden their appeal and reach learners and teachers with different specialisms.
The different ‘Teaching Inclusively Using Technology’ versions include:
- Teaching Inclusively Using Technology (Generic Version)
- Teaching Economics Inclusively using Technology

- Teaching Art, Design and Media Inclusively using Technology

- Teaching Information and Computer Sciences Inclusively using Technology

- Teaching Physical Sciences Inclusively using Technology

- Teaching HE in FE Inclusively using Technology

This series has been widely welcomed and interest has been expressed in extending the series to cover Health Sciences, English, and History, Classics and Archaeology.

For more information please visit the TechDis webpage at:
http://www.techdis.ac.uk/getTeachingInclusively

A suite of new learning resources showing how resources and methods can be adapted with technology, to deliver teaching more inclusively to the widest possible audience is now available online. Each module is a 10-20 minute tutorial for anyone involved in teaching Higher Education (although obviously they will be useful to teachers from any sector).

The modules in the JISC TechDis ‘Teaching Inclusively Using Technology’ series have five constituent elements. These are:

• Preparing Your Learning;
• Delivering Learning (Lecture/ Classroom);
• Delivering Learning (Practical/ Fieldwork/ Placement);
• Delivering Learning (Online); and
• Assessing Learning.

There are several different versions of these sets of 5 modules, themed appropriately for different audiences:

• Teaching Inclusively Using Technology (Generic Version);
• Teaching Economics Inclusively Using Technology;
• Teaching Art Design & Media Inclusively Using Technology;
• Teaching Information and Computer Sciences Inclusively Using Technology;
• Teaching Physical Sciences Inclusively Using Technology;
• Teaching HE in FE Inclusively Using Technology.

Access all of these from the Teaching Inclusively website:

http://www.techdis.ac.uk/getTeachingInclusively

Built in Xerte, the Accessible Learning Object creation tool (see www.techdis.ac.uk/getXerte) these resources give the user the ability to change font size and background colour, provide a text-to-speech option and are fully keyboard navigable.

Background
In 2008 the JISC / Higher Education Academy Collaboration Initiative provided funding for JISC TechDis to work with partners in the JISC RSCs and Higher Education Academy Subject Centres to develop a suite of learning objects on inclusive use of technology in teaching that were tailored to, and therefore more useful for, a variety of discipline or role areas. These modules are the output from that funding.

Surveys of institutional websites by JISC TechDis show marketing is an area where many organisations fall short in their accessibility practices, risking both reputation and potential  costs. Whilst all the right skills exist in the institution, structures and policies often fail to bring them together in the marketing processes.

From website information through to downloadable prospectuses and open evenings there is much good advice available if you know where to look. The JISC TechDis service in collaboration with Regional Support Centres is running a free online accessibility self evaluation service with expert input and advice for marketing departments. There are still some spaces on Friday 6 Feb 11.00 – 12.30 and an alternative session is available on Monday April 27th – 11.00 – 12.30.

More information and booking from:

http://www.techdis.ac.uk/getevaluated

Forthcoming sessions for other institutional roles:

Marketing managers – Friday February 6: 11.00 – 12.30
Senior managers – Wednesday February 11: 14.00 – 15.30
Network managers  – Tuesday March 3: 10.00 – 11.30
Library staff – Friday March 20: 14.00 – 15.30
Senior managers – Thursday April 16: 10.00 – 11.30
Marketing managers – Monday April 27: 11.00 – 12.30
Staff developers / learning technologist – Friday May 8: 14.00 – 15.30
Library staff – Monday May 18: 11.00 – 12.30
Network managers – Wednesday June 3: 14.00 – 15.30
Additional learning support managers / Disability officers – Thursday June 18: 10.00 – 11.30

Events suitable across all sectors

AccessApps is a comprehensive collection of the brightest and best, open source and freeware applications currently available and will be relevant to users across all educational sectors.

Some of the applications are generic tools, such as Open Office, the word processing, spreadsheet and presentation alternatives to Microsoft Office; while others cater for the specific requirements of an individual user, such as a need to view larger font sizes or different screen colours, or to control a computer without using a mouse. The software offers a wide range of solutions to support writing, reading and planning as well as visual and mobility difficulties.

Access Apps is an initiative of the JISC Regional Support Centres in Scotland in conjunction with JISC TechDis and seeks to overcome a lot of the issues around supporting users’ specific needs by providing these applications on a portable usb stick or online ready for downloading to a usb stick.

You can get more information and download these resources from the following site http://www.scottish-rscs.org.uk/access/?page_id=217

Applications on a Stick

RSC London’s Deputy Manager Julian Bream and Advisor Max Norton discuss the new accessibility tools and guidance materials with Alistair McNaught and Geoff Foot at the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) launch event, hosted by Lewisham College yesterday.

The LSIS Excellence Gateway brings together in a ‘one-stop shop’ a wide range of resources on ‘Accessibility in Learning’ including

• JISC TechDis briefings for senior managers,
• JISC TechDis staff development packs that come  ready to run with PowerPoint presentations, notes activities etc.

The latest addition of JISC TechDis resources have been grouped into eight categories to help staff to create effective and engaging learning materials for all their learners.

• Users who have difficulty seeing things
• Users who have difficulty hearing things
• Users who have difficulties understanding things
• Users who have difficulty concentrating
• Users who have difficulties handling and manipulating things
• Users who have difficulties communicating with others
• Users who have difficulty accessing text
• Users who are dyslexic

Alistair McNaught, senior advisor with JISC TechDis, spent 15 minutes with the new Further Education  Minister, Sion Simon,  taking him through the materials, answering the Minister’s questions and also demonstrating other resources such as AccessApps and the newly released Upwardly Mobile DVD.

http://excellence.qia.org.uk/jisctechdis