Equipment helpsheets
This page gives downloadable 'equipment' helpsheets that may be useful to Devon ACL tutors and other staff.
DACL 'Visually Impaired' Laptops
Devon ACL has 4 laptops specifically set up for use with Visually Impaired learners. More information about these is given in the 3 items below:
- Resources for VI learners (37KB - Word) – brief explanation of the DACL VI laptops, Jaws and ZoomText
- Considerations for VI learners (38KB - Word) - experiences of a Literacy tutor
- Instructions for using the DACL VI laptops (22KB - Word) – also found in each laptop bag
Digital Voice Recorders
These are useful for recording learners in language classes, NVQ courses and anywhere where it is easier/better to get spoken answers than written ones. Devon ACL have a number of different Digital Voice Recorders available for tutors to borrow. The helpsheets below are for the main types of recorders currently used in DACL.
- Using the Olympus Digital Voice Recorder - model WS-110 (97KB - Word)
- Using the Olympus Digital Voice Recorder - model WS-110 (160KB - pdf)
- Using the Olympus Digital Voice Recorder - model WS-200S (66KB - pdf)
- Using the Sanyo Digital Voice Recorder - model ICR-A190M (63KB - pdf)
Using a Digital Voice Recorder with Learners - Practical Tips (164KB - pdf): Useful advice from first hand experience by language tutor Linda Jackson on how to get the most out of using a recorder.
Panasonic Camcorder
- Using the Panasonic SDR-S15 Camcorder - Word version (96KB)
- Using the Panasonic SDR-S15 Camcorder - pdf version (67KB)
- Burning video from the SDR-S15 onto a playable DVD (17KB -pdf)
Mimio portable interactive whiteboard
This is a device that unfolds and sticks on to the side of an ordinary whiteboard to allow it to be used as an interactive whiteboard - in conjunction with a laptop and dataprojector. In 2009-2010 Devon ACL bought a number of these for use on teacher training courses and at each of the main centres.
- Mimio Instructions by RC (54KB - pdf)
For additional instructions see 'For Tutors' then ''Tutors: Useful ref' or click here (but you will need to have a log in to do so).
Widgit software - for producing 'symbolised' text
Devon ACL has licences for two pieces of software produced by Widgit.
- 'In Print 2' - allows the user to create printed work such as handouts, information sheets, posters etc which include both text and the equivalent symbols. It is likely to be the more generally useful of the two packages. For a helpsheet, click the following link:
- Helpsheet on 'In Print 2' (42KB - pdf)
- Helpsheet on 'In Print 2' (42KB - pdf)
- 'SymWriter' - allows a tutor to create interactive drag-and-drop activities for learners to complete and is a bit more specialist.
NLN materials - what, why, how (43KB): The NLN materials are a set of interactive learning materials that can be run on a PC or laptop. There are hundreds of different 'learning objects' making up the NLN materials and each learning object takes 10-15 mins to work through.
Stitching together photos using PhotoStory
If you've taken some digital photos you may want to combine them into a narrative. There is a piece of software from Microsoft called PhotoStory that comes 'free' with Windows (or can be downloaded for free for the Microsoft website). This resource provided by Alan Clark of Nottinghamshire Adult & Community Learning explains how to use 'PhotoStory 3'.
- Using PhotoStory 3 (360KB - pdf)
NLN materials - not really equipment but useful in a related way