The document discusses the accessibility services offered by the University of Leicester's Accessibility Centre, including support for students with specific learning difficulties and the introduction of online study guides. Feedback from students indicates a positive reception, noting the guides' effectiveness in catering to various learning styles, while also highlighting areas for improvement such as text size and pacing controls. Future plans include remote one-on-one study advice sessions and making study guides more accessible to all students seeking support.

1. Access to Study SkillsOnline Study GuidesClaire Graham and Matthew Mobbs

2. BackgroundAccessAbility Centre offers:Face-to-face study support for students with Specific Learning Difficulties4 Study Advisers offering 6 hour long appointments per day591 students with splds registered with CentreUniversity of Leicester 22,048 students in total 8,651 (39%) distance learners Only 27 distance learners with splds registered with Centre

3. New ApproachTo engage and support DL students and a new approach for campus based 10 Online Study GuidesDesigned based on most frequently requested study support sessionsMultisensory approach was essential. Visuals – colour, images and subtitles Audio – Voice over Kinaesthetic – Interactivity

4. The Guides

5. Example

6. How they were madePowerPointAdobe Presenter

7. How they were madeAdobe Presenter

8. How they were madehttp://audacity.sourceforge.net/

9. How they were madeAdobe PresenterPowerPoint Plugin

10. Combine Audio and visuals

11. Published to the Web Alternative Free Toolswww.screenr.com

12. Alternative Free Toolswww.slideshare.nethttp://www.slideshare.net/uolssds/writing-an-essay

13. Raising AwarenessCards - postersWeb BbYouTubePodcastsCourse HandbooksDirect mailing to distance learnersEmail to all dyslexic students

14. FeedbackFeedback gathered in a variety of waysStudents have been positive about the resources: appreciating different elements of the delivery depending on learning styles;using the guides in a variety of ways, ie. 1) when it was difficult to get a face to face session, 2) to prepare for a meeting with a Study Adviser, 3) as consolidation after a study advice session.

15. FeedbackSome students viewed the guides a number of times.They appreciated being able to access the support 24/7.Comments included:‘I liked the ‘Improving Memory’ one in particular: they had a sort of practical memory test right there and then. You can see that it actually works; and it stayed in my memory for longer…’‘…it’s nice to have this preliminary stuff done and out of the way so you can really concentrate on a specific area…You’ve built on something so when you get to the study adviser she can push you further’.

16. Feedback – Points for improvementStudents didn’t like the fact that the text that mirrored the audio input was very small and in Times New Roman. There is no ability to change this on Adobe Connect.Some students wanted to be able to skip whole sections of the presentation. Students wanted more control over the pacing of the material.Some students wanted more examples. It was suggested that more in-depth presentations follow on from these ‘short intro’ guides

17. Future DevelopmentsStudy guides to be signposted to every student booking a study advice session iTunes UOne to one study advice sessions to be offered remotely using adobe connect.

18. Examples of study guidesImproving Memoryhttp://connect.le.ac.uk/memoryEssay Writinghttp://connect.le.ac.uk/essaywriting