ICT and learning 2

ICT and learning 2

1. Desktop environment (DTE): A DTE can be customised by changing icon sizes, adjusting the sizes of windows, mouse settings, the speed of the mouse etc. Using your settings window, you can change the appearance of the desktop, e.g. windows, positions of objects, graphics and screes resolutions etc.

   • Files and folders: Saved data is usually referred to as a file. A file may contain text, numbers, an image, a video or sound. It is possible to move a file from one folder to another, or even move a representation of it around on the desktop. Files and folders can be deleted, copied and renamed.
   • Shortcuts: Shortcuts allow a complex series of actions to be carried out by doing a mouse click or pressing a key and/or selection of keys. Many shortcuts are available, but they are different depending on the system you are using, e.g. Microsoft word, the internet. Examples of shortuts are: F1= Search box opens/help online, Control + escape = displays start up menu.
   • Print settings: A menu of options often offered when something is printed, options may include: pages to print - all pages or current page, number of copies, which printer to use.
   • Password protection: If you are leaving your computer logged on for any reason, it is important to make sure your work is secure and that no one other than you can access your work area. You will need a password to unlock it again.
   • Control panel: part of an operating system and is used to change the look and settings of windows.
     • Features of a control panel: Alter colour of desktop and windows, set up hardware and software, settings can be changed to cope with a variety of disabilities, change folder display, change connection to the internet, set up user accounts, install/remove programs, set up security.

2. Learning devices and software to support disabilities. Ict can help pupils with their learning. Software has developed to help with: learning difficulties to improve reading or writing skills, basic mathematics skills, accessing a computer if the pupil has a visual imparement, typing by using predictive text.

   • Customising the desktop environments: there are many ways that the desktop environment can be changed to suit the needs of a user who is disabled, and it can be changed in many ways. These ways are: using an on-screen keyboard/mouse/joysticks to point and select letters, on-screen magnifier, narrator, voice recognition to type in text or commands, alter the colour combination.
   • Voice recognition software: People who have difficulty typing can use a microphone as an input device to issuecommands to the computer or to use an application available
     • Advantages: faster than typing, accurate, cheap.
     • Disadvantages: takes a while to get used to, not accurate at first, confusion with similar sounding words, background noises causes errors.
   • Braille keyboards: Input devices for those who cannot see the keyboard, though most people can be trained to become touch typists. A Braille keyboard has raised dots for the character on the key.
   • Text-to-voice software: Device works by users touching them. The position where the device is touched is sensed and used as data. Menu displayed and users select options by touching screen.
     • Advantages: low level ICT skills are needed, little possibility of damage or theft, simple - anyone can use it.
     • Disadvantages: It may become dirty or scratched and difficult to read.
   • Concept keyboards: Touch sensitive boards that have special overlays, helping a handicapped person to input data. They can also be used by young peole with learnign difficulties.
     • Other uses of touchscreen are: Museums - exhibits etc, banks - customer services offered, doctor's surgery - patient to register attendance, restaurants or bars - staff use touchscreens to select items or meal etc.