Category Archives: STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths

Colours for Presentations

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“It wasn’t until I had my vision tested that I discovered I had a green colour deficiency and so colour overload is a problem, such as occurs in some pie-charts. I tend to use blue as this is usually a safe colour for presentations and when developing web pages if you have a colour deficiency – blue, pale colours.  When items are highlighted, the text goes white on a blue background.


To show you how this looks I have made a PowerPoint presentation about colour deficiencies – it is available for download from Slideshare.”

Jim – Computer Science.

e-Books on iPad as opposed to the Kindle.

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iPad settings“I tend to set up the screen resolution and brightness [on the iPad] to suit my eyes depending on the time of day and lighting. My first job was working in sales but then I took a degree and from then on have really made the most of computer skills to see me through work and any further studies.

I use the iPad as a third monitor (to hold my notes, whilst I write), as a fantastic desktop calculator, to watch the BBC iPlayer in bed, to check and send emails, I use it in front of the television if I am watching a video to check up on facts etc!

The ONLY downside of the iPad is …weight.I wouldn’t want to stand on the tube reading The Times on it for 40 minutes.It has colour, which is missing on the Kindle, and you can browse the ‘real’ Amazon with iPad and read Kindle books [via the Kindle app]. I also do not like the page transform on the Kindle (the page goes black for a second and then refreshes with your new page). Very annoying to my eyesight.

On the iPad you can adjust colour from bright white to beige – I like beige and you have 6 font sizes – finally I run the actual brightness at around 20% but the glossy screen means that it can be difficult to read in direct sunlight whereas the Kindle will work quite happily on the beach!For me the Kindle screen is too small (6″) as opposed to iPad (9.7″)”

Richard – Computer Science

 

LiveScribe for note taking, planning and diagrams

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livescribe

” I find if I use the LiveScribe with the ear buds just hanging loosely round my neck, then the microphone from the pen does not pick up the scratching when writing, but still records the lecture or meeting”  (You need the digital pen with the special paper notepads and the software for transferring notes to the computer or tablet and it can be used with Evernote)

Ursula

BrailleSense schedule manager for appointments

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“I do not tend to use a calendar.  However, for critical appointments, I put them down in my BrailleSense’s schedule manager.”

This works well with a PC and screen reader.  It has a calendar and clock for alarms.  Appointments can be made very quickly using Braille,  whilst having a conversation or in a lecture. It has an internet connection, can be used for social networking and word processing.

Sam – Live and Studio Sound

Opera browser has handy mouse gestures

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“I use Opera rather than Internet Explorer to go back a page – right click and a left click, straight one after the other, that makes going back so much easier! Not using Alt / L & R Arrow. I also used Firefox a bit, but Opera is much nicer. You have to do right click followed by left click very quickly!”

” I prefer the layout so much more and the keyboard and mouse shortcuts are so useful. For instance I use right click followed by left click to go back a web page or just the z key.” The YouTube video below illustrates what is possible with mouse gestures.

I find the automatic reloading of a page useful when working on forums which you can customise to however many minutes or seconds you want. Opera also allows you to add your chosen search engines as part of the menu. There is also a function called ‘speed dial’ that provides you with your 4 most important web sites”

Chloe – Psychology

Free iPhone 4 light app for reading

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iphone lightI find that when I am trying to read very small sized text the free LED light app can be incredibly useful.  It can act as a torch and also has a flashing option and SOS setting!. Just double tap the touch screen to turn it on providing you are not using VoiceOver – when you have select the icon first and then double tap. The menu items can be read back with voice. The battery drains pretty quickly if the light is used for too long.

Jane – Researcher