Physics revision class with partially sighted learners

In class

There are four learners in the class , all large print users, all using different print sizes. They all have their own member accounts created by the school and they log independently into RNIB Bookshare on a school iPad. This means that they are also able to complete work at home logging onto home devices.

Sarah says that it not only helpful to her learners, it also helps her in preparing lessons and work. Standard worksheets and sources for creating worksheets are generally inaccessible, being able to download titles from RNIB Bookshare and use accessible resources is so helpful.

All four learners are able to log into their accounts on RNIB Bookshare and download the title they need from the reading list Sarah has set up for the class. They open them up very easily and with little help, They easily find the page they need and are asked to answer the questions at the end of the chapter. They all choose to answer the questions using the notes app on the Pad and refer to the book, write their answers and use a scientific calculator all on the iPads they are using.

Sarah says that her students would otherwise use CCTV to access their texts and would write their answers by hand. They work diligently, with no apparent difficulty in working through the lesson on the given task. They are able to look at the page of questions and ‘flick’ through the chapter for reference in answering the questions, it all happens with apparent ease. Even with their spellings being corrected!

Sarah likes using the RNIB Bookshare on iPad’s in class, she says it uses a lot less paper, she can set tasks as homework and allowing them to be more independent. Amin is keen to learn how he can add notes to his electronic book, and we talk about how this can be achieved using DAISY files in Dolphin EasyReader.

A major factor in using RNIB Bookshare in class is that students can work at home and school with only an electronic file, without RNIB Bookshare they would only be able to study at home using hard copy large print versions, adapted to suit their needs. This way they can also vary how they use the title, as they can also decide to listen to the title on audio their smart phone.

At the end of the lesson, Sarah asked her learners to email their work so that they can complete the task as homework. Sarah says she will then ask them to email the completed work to her and she can mark it electronically, its great that this means that Sarah’s workflow is streamlined, and the class are doing their bit to save paper and our planet!

Amin and his Apple watch!

Whilst Amin is working on the questions on the iPad in class, Sarah comments that to him that the Apple watch that the is wearing could also be used to access RNIB Bookshare. He grins as Sarah says that he could listen to his Physics revision title during his taxi ride home at the end of the day. How great is that!

School skills

Sarah and Mary Ellen are keen to see RNIB Bookshare used more widely. The school is endeavours to ensure that learners develop skills that increase their employability. Both are keen to see RNIB Bookshare and the use of the technical skills needed added to the skill  set that the school supports.

They see RNIB Bookshare as a great way for learners with sight loss to gain and add to technical skills that can support them in the workplace.