[senit] learning platform

Again - commercial interest

Can I just chip in on this discussion? In between other things this  
past year I've been trying to research (a Becta grant) what options  
there are for learning platforms suitable for pupils with cognitive  
learning difficulties.

The features I've been looking for have been: The ability to have  
symbols (as in Widget, PCS, not just designer icons) embedded in the  
interface; scanning support, a clean and simple interface that reduces  
complexity without making it unnecessarily childish, built-in tools to  
minimise the barrier of literacy such as at least a sound recording  
tool, possibly a video tool (as in YouTube), and intuitive steps for  
navigation right from the login stage through to tasks such as  
choosing a person to send a message to, or storing a piece of your  
work. I know from discussions with several developers that getting the  
thinking of how supportive tools like these work threaded right the  
way through a structure, rather than only existing on the first level,  
is one obstacle to tackle.

Some way back last year I came across My People and Places, being  
developed over in Swansea, and I do have to say it was way ahead of  
anything else I'd seen at the time. like any software, it was  
developing as it went along, so things like being able to choose  
contacts from actual photos rather than just text names or the rather  
inadequate attempt to move in the icon direction of avatars were still  
ideas to create rather than being shown up and running. But definitely  
some very good thinking there, and the audience was based on adults  
with learning disabilities, so pretty well suited to the school  
population of people with cognitive learning difficulties.
http://www.mypeopleandplaces.com/

Recently, I've had a chance to see UniServity and RM's Kaleidos. From  
what I've seen of UniServity they have already successfully integrated  
symbols (and you can apparently choose to use Widget, PCS, or both),  
have built in sound recording tools, and even a login option based on  
clicking a sequence of images as a 'code' that can be an approach  
instead of having to type a text string in. Maybe not a perfect  
solution, but moving in a good direction. Apart from the focus on  
meeting the needs of people with learning difficulties, their general  
approach is very refreshing in terms of the emphasis on what I think  
they term 'connected communities' with really effective tools that  
seem to be pretty easy to use for the teachers in schools to make good  
educational use of.
http://www.uniservity.com/

Another platform I'm interested in is StudyWiz, but at the moment I'm  
not aware of what they've achieved so far in meeting the needs of  
users with special needs. I do think that they have a very healthy  
attitude to innovation, and do know that they've been in discussion  
with at least one LA to develop an interface/tools to meet the needs  
of users with learning difficulties.
http://www.europe.studywiz.com/?page_id=2

I think the work Inclusive are doing with Kowari is a powerful  
opportunity. At the moment, what I've seen of Kowari is that it offers  
a childish interface, and the messaging is still essentially grounded  
in the textual world of email. What I would hope to see is that their  
collaboration with Inclusive can result in their expertise combining  
with deep SEN awareness to produce something  we would all want to buy  
into.
http://www.simica.com/news.php?id=2

I'd be very interested to hear of everyone else's views on these and  
other options that have been found.
Regards,

Sean O'Sullivan
sean.frankwise at easynet.co.uk
Headteacher
Frank Wise School, Banbury
http://www.frankwise.oxon.sch.uk

http://www.parkroadict.co.uk

On 27 Feb 2008, at 19:08, Trish Hornsey wrote:

> Again - commercial interest
>
> Apologies that the website has not been updated. The Kowari folk are
> working so hard at development of the software .....
>
> I am asking the guys in the know to respond, but meanwhile if anyone  
> is
> going to the Education Show at NEC this week stand SN-X6, you will be
> able to see it for yourselves. (or at the NAACE Conference next week)
>
> Essentially each student has email, a journal, an activity area and a
> place to store work. They can log on at school or from home, so work  
> is
> shared.
> Email can be very simple, doodling, pictures, right up to something  
> that
> functions like standard email.
> The journal can be for a diary use, or the teacher or parent can make
> additions as reminders etc.
> The activity area can hold and run software designed to run online,
> links to websites etc.
>
>
> Trish Hornsey | Director
> Inclusive Technology Ltd
> Riverside Court, Huddersfield Road
> Delph, Oldham OL3 5FZ