Academic phrasebook to aid writing

Posted on July 4, 2012 by E.A. Draffan

This could save the day when you cannot think what to write in certain parts of an assignment or dissertation – the University of Manchester has an Academic Phrasebank.

It is a general resource for academic writers. It aims to provide you with examples of some of the phraseological “nuts and bolts” of writing organised under the headings to the left. It was designed primarily with international students whose first language is not English in mind. However, if you are a native speaker writer, you may still find parts of the material helpful.

Thanks to Andy McMahon

BrailleSense schedule manager for appointments

Posted on July 2, 2012 by E.A. Draffan

“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

Collaborating on Blackboard

Posted on June 28, 2012 by E.A. Draffan

Blackboard themes

“I have changed the look and feel of Blackboard to make it easier for me to find my way around, read course titles and find documents. I set it up how I like it and then you can personalise your page (top right of the menus). I chose the forest theme because I found it had quite subtle shades and it was easy to see and use and it wasn’t too stark. Then you click on submit at the bottom of the page, and it puts it all into place for you. But then I was working with someone who did not like my colours so I used the Internet Options in Internet Explorer to quickly make it easier for her to read content with a blue background.” (High Contrast mode is also available through the My Places menu on Blackboard)

Sarah – nursing

Opera browser has handy mouse gestures

Posted on June 22, 2012 by E.A. Draffan

“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

iPhone for organisation image capture, notes and using iCloud

Posted on June 20, 2012 by E.A. Draffan

“I was given an iPhone that I use for calendars, calls, texting with speak selection, camera shots of articles using Image to text and video capturing of lectures. I use it to organise everything and sync with iCloud so I can view and work online from my desktop as well. This does not work for videos at the moment – those have to go through iTunes.”

Fiona – Multimedia and Design

iCloud-transfer.com is the site which can provide you with the iCloud tips/tricks, iCloud tutorials, and iCloud resources to help you use iCloud easily

Making a mouse more comfortable with Blu-tac

Posted on June 20, 2012 by E.A. Draffan

“I found the mouse I was using was really uncomfortable and I was getting RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) so I used some Blu-tac and moulded it to fit precisely under the palm of my hand.”

10 Tips for Using a Computer Mouse