Posted by Paul Nisbet on the 19th May, 2016
For Digital Learning Week, we're looking at some examples of Assistive and Communication Technology and today I'm going to offer some reflections on voice output communication aids. In particular, we'll consider some pros and cons of using an iPad for communication, versus a Windows tabl...
Posted by Paul Nisbet on the 16th May, 2016
Today is the start of Digital Learning Week, and during the week the CALL team are going to post blogs about how digital technology can be of benefit to learners with additional support needs. In this post, we're going to look at an example of using technology to address physical challenges to a...
Posted by Paul Nisbet on the 4th May, 2016
Last week we launched our new Adapted Digital Assessments website. Digital Question Papers were first introduced in 2008, and there have been quite a few changes and developments since then: phasing out of Standard Grade and Intermediate examinations and the introduction of National 5; the developm...
Posted by Paul Nisbet on the 29th January, 2016
On 19th January, Ceitidh, the world's first Scottish Gaelic Computer Voice, was officially launched by Dr. Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages at Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu. Representatives from the funders (Scottish Government, SQA, Scottish Fundin...
Posted by Paul Nisbet on the 30th November, 2015
NB: Gaelic version first and then English version below it. Fàilte gu Ceitidh – a’ chiad Guth Gàidhlig airson Coimpiutair! Audio sample of last phrase spoken: Tha a’ chiad Guth Coimpiutair airson Gàidhlig na h-Alba ri fhaighinn a-nise! Chaidh an guth a chrutha...
Posted by Paul Nisbet on the 27th November, 2015
When you are using speech recognition software, it's important to keep the microphone a consistent distance away from your mouth. One of the best ways of doing that is to use a headset microphone. However, most of the headset mics have got a cable attached which means that you are tethered to yo...
Posted by Paul Nisbet on the 17th November, 2015
Technology is replacing the use of readers and scribes in schools - but not quickly enough. Too many learners do not have access to technology or to digital learning resources, and are being taught to rely on staff to read to them or write for them. On Saturday I ran a workshop at the National ...
Posted by Paul Nisbet on the 2nd November, 2015
Barrington Stoke, who publish excellent books for reluctant, struggling or dyslexic readers, have released Tints, an app that lets you buy digital versions of some of their titles. Barrington Stoke have not published digital versions of their titles before because they have significant concerns ...
Posted by Paul Nisbet on the 9th October, 2015
Earlier this week colleagues commented that the Stuart computer voice pronounces some words incorrectly - "cereal" and "lasagne" were mentioned and sure enough, these words do sound weird. It is possible to change the pronunciation of individual words, and so we are looking ...
Posted by Paul Nisbet on the 22nd September, 2015
If you are working with learners who have difficulty writing or spelling, you need to learn about speech recognition. Speech recognition software is now much, much better that it was in the past, and it's also built in free to mobiles and tablets. If you've tried it before but not had much s...
Newsletter: join thousands of other people
Our social media sites - YouTube, Twitter and Facebook