Learning support

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Education highlights of 2014

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This year we have further explored accessible media and resources available to support students with diverse learning needs.

Apple resting on top of books in front of a blackboard


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Captions supporting students with autism

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Captions are acknowledged as being beneficial for a range of students with diverse learning needs, including Deaf and hearing impaired, English as a Second Language and now a new initiative from Ai-Media in the UK shows how captions support students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Young girl pressing finger down on a tablet device

Digital media and technology: 

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3D printers to improve classroom access

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While not traditionally thought of as media, 3D printers are emerging as a new way for students to access learning and information.

Printing head of a FELIX 3D Printer

Increasingly affordable devices can ‘print’ three dimensional objects with computer-based 3D ‘maps’ of everything from chemical compounds, microorganisms, topographical maps, to bodily organs and machine parts.

Digital media and technology: 

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Interview with Kate Kennedy, winner of the Roma Wood OAM Award at the 2014 Captioning Awards

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Kate Kennedy is the Coordinator, Information and Advocacy for Parents of Deaf Children (PODC).

Kate Kennedy holding the Roma Wood OAM Community Award for captioning. Left to right: David Brady, Roma Wood, Kate Kennedy, Andrew Stewart, Alex Varley


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Discovery Kids on Foxtel – learning and access all in one

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Engaging educational TV that is 100% captioned is a boon for students with diverse learning needs. Discovery Kids on FOXTEL, launched last week, delivers on the promise of accessibility and fun educational programming for children.

Discovery Kids logo


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Ai-Media trials live captioning in UK schools

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The Australian-based access company Ai-Media, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne and the UK charity Nesta, has been working on a project which looks at the benefits of real-time captioning and transcriptions in British classrooms.

35 primary school teachers have taken part in the project, which is called the Visible Classroom and is being funded by the Education Endowment Foundation. They have had real-time captions provided by Ai-Media which are streamed onto an electronic whiteboard or tablets during lessons, and afterwards children are able to read the transcripts.

In an earlier trial of the system in Australia, it was found that the captions also benefited non-Deaf students, and allowed teachers to review their professional practice. The UK project is producing similar results.   


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Aussie boy Huey inspires internet accessibility for all

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At age four, Huey Springer became ill with a life-threatening condition which doctors identified as a result of head fluid build-up, requiring numerous trips to the hospital and major surgery.

Hueyify logo


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Finding your way around our updated education website content

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The education section of our website has a new menu structure, with an increased level of content and information to assist teachers and parents.

There are three main categories that provide focused points of reference: accessible media for diverse learners, hearing impairment and deafness and low vision and blindness.


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NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships awarded

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On Saturday 30 August, 22 teachers were awarded NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships across a range of subject areas and disciplines at Parliament House, Sydney. Media Access Australia’s Education Manager was among them.

Our Education Manager, Anne McGrath also works as an Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf with the Catholic Education Office, Sydney. McGrath was awarded the 2014 Premier's IOOF Centre for Educational and Medical Research Itinerant Support Teacher (Hearing) Scholarship by the Premier, Mike Baird, and the NSW Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli.


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