SuperNova Access Suite Case Study: The Royal National College for the Blind uses Dolphin software to evaluate usability of eLearning content

The national learning network (NLN) is a national partnership programme designed to increase the uptake of Information Learning Technology (ILT) across the learning and skills sector in England. The NLN achieves this by providing the network infrastructure and a wide-ranging programme of support, information and training, as well as the development and provision of ILT materials for teaching and learning.

The initiative began in 1999 with the aim of helping to transform post-16 education (A level and vocational studies). To date, the Government's investment in the NLN totals £156million over a five year period. Initially for the benefit of further education and sixth form colleges, the NLN programme of work is now being rolled out to workplace learning and Adult and Community Learning.

In spring 2003, the Joint Implementation Group (JIG) produced its outline action plan for its Post-16 e-Learning Strategy for England, which was approved by the Secretary of State and supports Success for All and the Skills Strategy.

In order for the Government initiative to be successful all materials produced have to be not only informative and educational but also useable and accessible to the whole population. In 2001, The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC), was appointed by BECTA (British Educational Communications and Technology Agency) to evaluate the usability and accessibility of all the e-learning content being created for the National Learning Network. The aim is to create a powerful bank of e-learning materials that will be available via the NLN and local Regional Support Centres and deliver a consistent learning experience regardless of disabilities.

The RNC has evaluated 100's of individual modules of e-learning materials, including such subjects as Environmental Conservation, Sport and Recreation, Performing Arts, English, Mathematics and Construction Engineering. Each module has to be rigorously evaluated to ensure blind and visually impaired students are able to understand and use the materials. The RNC has been using Dolphin's Supernova reader magnifier, amongst other assistive software, in order to ascertain if the modules are acceptable or not. Supernova was chosen due to its total flexibility – allowing screen reader evaluations as well as screen magnification and colour manipulation. Whilst the primary focus of the evaluations is concerned with screen reader accessibility, it is important to consider the needs of dyslexic students and students suffering with colour blindness. Supernova covers all needs, providing a single package that combines magnification, speech and Braille. It also offers many customisable features, so that students can select their preferred settings, avoiding difficult colours or fonts etc.

Sue Lobb, ICT Development Officer at the RNC comments "The Team has been using students of varying ability and disability to undertake the evaluation work. Using Supernova installed on the college network means the students can access the system from any terminal on the site, giving them the freedom to move around a building or campus." Sue continues, "Supernova allows the students to select and save their preferred settings and then retrieve them from wherever they choose to log on. This means that the assessment work can be undertaken whenever the student is able and ensures consistency in the testing process."

Developers visit the Team during the testing process and are able to observe the students accessing the modules – this enables the students and the Team to offer solutions where necessary. When amendments have been completed, final testing ensures the modules are accessible and usable.

"Dolphin are very proud of their long standing association with the RNC and are pleased that they have chosen to evaluate the Governments e-learning content using our products" said Steve Hawkes, Dolphin's Marketing Manager. "Equality and inclusion in the classroom is very important and by providing the tools that allow blind and visually impaired students to work along side their sighted peers, we hope that schools, colleges and universities will benefit from the knowledge, ideas and expertise from everyone in the classroom."

To find out more about the RNC please visit www.rncb.ac.uk

To find out more about how Dolphin can help you in the classroom visit www.dolphinuk.co.uk

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