Valerie Schicker Specialist Tutor (Dyslexia) of Oaklands College explains and demonstrates My Studybar a web browser add on which supports accessibility for teaching and learning.

1. 1 Eastern Region LSIS Teaching and Learning Fair The Møller Centre, Cambridge, 31st March, 2011 Session C1 11.45 a.m. Giving your learners a voice – Accessibility MyStudyBar Valerie Schicker - Dyslexia Support Lecturer

2. 2 Overview MyStudyBar is a FREE, easy to install, simple to use tool. It helps all learners, especially those with with literacy related-difficulties (e.g. dyslexia), to overcome their problems with studying, reading and writing. It is relevant for Higher & Further Education, as well as Sixth Form colleges. Valerie Schicker - Dyslexia Support Lecturer

3. 3 Features It comprises a range of individual and essential tools that support the whole study cycle from research and planning to structuring and putting across the written / spoken word. It has six sections, each with a drop down menu that offers personal choice, flexibility and independent learning. Valerie Schicker - Dyslexia Support Lecturer

4. 4 The Learners’ Voice Comparable commercial software is networked at Oaklands. However, many learners have said that they prefer to work at home but cannot afford to buy the specialist software they use in college. MyStudyBar is now providing our learners with a cost free, anytime, anywhere, way to access the software they need. Above all it empowers! Valerie Schicker - Dyslexia Support Lecturer

5. 5 The most popular applications Examples of software on MyStudyBar are: Xmind to aid planning and organization; T-Bar for changing font and colour; Lingoes - a talking dictionary; LetMeType for help with text input, Balabolka for converting text to audio plus voice recognition. The applications most called for by the learners we see in Study Support with dyslexic tendencies are: Xmind ,Text Reader, Screen Tinting & Voice Recognition. Valerie Schicker - Dyslexia Support Lecturer

6. 6 How can I download it? Go to: http://www.eduapps.org/and select “MyStudyBar” Click to go to free download page and to access step-by-step tutorials MyStudyBar can be downloaded to a pendrive or installed to your desktop. In colleges it can also be installed to a network. Valerie Schicker - Dyslexia Support Lecturer