New software, iVocalize, offers opportunities to students and faculty.
According to Frank Puckett, a professor working with the Rehabilitation and Research Training Center on blindness and low-vision, the software works like a chat room. The students and teachers can log into the “classroom” and see everyone in the classroom at a certain time.
The new program, purchased through the Credit Studies Unit in the Division of Continuing Education, allows the students and teachers to communicate through audio, text and multimedia files.
On one side of the screen, PowerPoint slides, Web sites or other information can be viewed, and on the other communication can occur through text or audio at the same time. It is monitored and controlled by the instructor.
“It is like being in a classroom, but you cannot see the other people in your class,” Puckett said.
In the normal classroom, teachers can present the notes in large print or on overhead projectors so that the students can easily view them, said Janice Thompson of Student Support Services.
“For exams, we ask that they either print the test in large print or we allow them to take their tests on a closed circuit television that presents the test question in large format on the screen,” Thompson said.
To actually get to the Web site, a visually impaired student might use a screen-reading program to read the information on the screen aloud according to where he or she pointed the cursor to allow navigation through the Internet.
It is currently offered for only one class through the training center, but faculty members are trying increase its availability.
“We are currently advertising it in hope that other departments will use it because it adds another dimension to an online class,” said Laura Crittenden, distance education manager in the division of continuing education. “You do not sense emotion when typing, but with the audio, you are able to hear excitement, sarcasm or another emotion,” she added.
Any student can use the software. A list of classes which use the program is found at www.distance.msstate.edu/ideclare. Once more classes start incorporating iVocalize, students will be able to find a class to take and setup the program on their computers through the Web site.
Students can also contact Jason Crittenden at 325-2637 for more information.