The e Folio Arrives John Sewell Unlocking Potential

The e. Folio Arrives John Sewell Unlocking Potential

How did it start? • The Life Story process • The limitations of Power. Point Unlocking Potential

Design of Student Interface • • Always simple with very few links per page Menus have large clear icons Menus are accessible to screen readers Alternate interface for switch users: 1. Single (auto-scanning) or dual scan switch 2. Limited features, but edit and view pages 3. Based on Flash, no additional software and also usable via just the spacebar Unlocking Potential

Design Metaphor • Design and structure will follow the idea of a loose leaf binder. • The binder will contain sections each of which will contain pages. • Each institution will define own structure eg: • No sections to keep the structure simple Or sections could be created to serve different purposes – courses, achievement, CV, personal interests, PCP etc Unlocking Potential

About Making the Pages • Pages are empty containers which can hold text, images, audio and video and display them in any web browser • Other types of file can be attached to a page and appear as icons – any file type approved by the school can be stored this way. • Pages are arranged in sections – icons on the section title pages will allow different ways of sorting the pages. By age, last edit, title, keywords. • Students can add to pages by uploading files themselves or by choosing from things already uploaded to a ‘Gallery’ Unlocking Potential

Making the Pages - Galleries • Two types of Gallery will be available – shared and private. • Shared will hold content any student can include in their e. Folio • Private will hold content uploaded by the student or by an admin on behalf of a student. • Galleries allow for advance preparation, uploading files is boring and can take too long with a group. • Staff will be able to upload directly to the Shared Gallery in one go (eg overnight) as well as using the Web interface to send files to small groups and individual students Unlocking Potential

Accessible Login Options 1. Normal username and password 2. User number and picture password (card printer included in admin) 3. Weblink assisted login – requires a picture password but enters user name 4. Weblink fully automatic login – takes user straight to their page Note: Assisted logins are less secure, so would only be enabled for selected users Unlocking Potential

Accessibility Features • Help section with pre-recorded, clear audio • Help section with screen grab videos • Self-voicing of text uploaded to pages • WCAG 2. 0 AAA compliant framework • Choice of layout sizes and contrasts • Accessibility checked by testers Unlocking Potential

Admin Interface • Provide context sensitive help including video walkthroughs. • Interface will be simple, with few options per page • Support group operations and time saving where possible: • • Bulk uploads of media to shared gallery Allow groups of students to be defined who share the same structures Allow bulk uploads of content to all the e. Folio of students in a group Other? ? • Include telephone support long after training Unlocking Potential

Access and Security • • Options Provided Via Admin View and edit via the Internet – login required View only via the Internet – login required View selected pages via Internet – without login Social Networking options: • Not allowed • Allow students to control access • Moderate all publication • Allow institutions to choose Unlocking Potential

Development Process • Work with institutions to test prototypes • User test with a range of institutions/user groups at several stages • Training and Support throughout implementation of ‘Beta version’ • Schedule review meetings for partners to feedback • Make development models available for use and involve all staff and students Unlocking Potential

Costs and Cost Issues • Software will be open-source and free for anyone to download and use • e. Folio will run on LAMP servers using standard components which are provided by hundreds of hosting companies This means: • No developer tie in – anyone can add and change to the software later. • No tie in for hosting – do it in house or with many different hosting providers. Unlocking Potential

Training and Support • Training an Support will be provided as part of the project • Staff will be involved in testing and already gaining familiarity • Telephone and email support will be also be provided after the initial face-to-face training sessions Unlocking Potential

Export & Saving e. Folio are best viewed online but also needed is: • Printed format – the ability to convert a page, pages or section of e. Folio into a PDF document. • Local html – a version of the e. Folio which can be saved to a CD, USB driver and viewed from any web browser – including things like video and audio which are lost in printed format • Package – a version of all the content and a map of its structure which can be imported into other applications or e. Folio - eg if a student moves to another institution. Unlocking Potential

Portfolio tour • • Accessible logins http: //www. cognable. com/accessible_login/info. php Widgit add-on http: //widgit. marketingnet. com/ Unlocking Potential