[senit] learning platform

Can I just chip in on this discussion? In between other things this past

Thanks for the useful info and links Sean.  Is anybody doing anything 
similar with PDAs?

Am I right in thinking that once you are provided with space on a learning 
platform then you can keep that space.  If so for how long?  Wouldn't it be 
great if our students could build up archives of their achievements, 
connections with friends and fun activities that they could carry on using 
and adding to beyond school into their adult lives?

Sally
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sean O'Sullivan" <sean.frankwise at easynet.co.uk>
To: <senit at lists.becta.org.uk>
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 10:57 PM
Subject: Re: [senit] learning platform

> 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
> 