Digital learning resources (WP3)

From SENnet:

• Try out a prototype app to locate resources with particularly useful features for learners with special needs: English, Danish, Estonian, Flemish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish
• The Learning Resource Exchange's searchable special needs area with over 600 resources listed 

• A prototype accessible widget in the seven SENnet partner languages which can be used to search the resources for features of value to those with special needs (eg no need for a mouse): English, Danish, Estonian, Flemish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish

• Survey report on availability of digital resources for special educational needs (D3.2 updated July 2014: download doc): results of a survey of ministries of education of freely available digital content of particular value for students with special needs

• Adapting IMS Access for All Specification v3.0 Core Profile for SENnet:

  • Edited version: Wide dissemination
  • Full technical document: 'SENnet-LRE Metadata Application Profile based on IMS Access For All v3.0 Public Draft Specification'

From other sources:

• Over 200,000 schools participate in eTwinning. Here are some inspiring examples of projects with a special needs element:

  • Express yourself
  • Animal sounds
  • La historia de mi casa (the history of my house)
  • My homeland is your homeland
  • Inclusion of disabled people into active life
  • A Common Path to Adulthood 
  • European Food Passport

  • My very special wonder tree 

• The TeachThought blog has 464 free tools/resources for learning, including 47 video games, some of which have potential for students with special needs (English)

• Special Needs Education lesson plans (English)

• A practical article by special needs expert Sally McKeown lists her top 20 resources seen at BETT 2013, London. Co-author of Brilliant Ideas for Using ICT in the Inclusive Classroom, she gives a flavour of what's new in ICT for special needs including a 'concept keyboard' first seen in the 1980s

• Accessibility Tools for Libraries (Simon Ball, EIFL, November 2012), a step-by-step guide to using free and open source software (FOSS) tools to support users who need larger text, prefer to listen, who are completely blind or who need to enter text. As useful in schools as in libraries.

• Six online cause and effect games for switch or touch screen users (Ian Bean) 

• TES resources for teachers 4,533 free learning resources for special educational needs teachers (English only), including lesson plans, activities, games, teaching ideas, classroom resources and worksheets.

• Gaming and disability: accessibility advice for developers of games from AbleGamers (USA) on the Includification website. Includes a useful free practical guide to game accessibility.