Forth Valley College has a wide range of equipment and resources that are available for ELS(Extended Learning Support) learners to use. The following list the equipment available for loan and a description of the software that is available.

 The Learning Development Section endeavour to keep abreast of the latest assistive technology and software to ensure that learners receive the best possible support. We will keep all ELS Facilitators informed of what is available to learners.
 
Forth Valley College Assistive Technology

 As part of our ongoing support for learners, we are able to offer various software packages that can assist you in acquiring a positive outcome to your studies.
 At present these software packages, are available across the 3 campuses, and can be accessed within the Learning Zones on each campus.
 Listed below are the software packages which are available:

Inspiration
Essentially this is a mind-mapping software package, which can be used for organizing your thoughts, producing a study plan and can also help to enhance your memory skills. You can add to your plan/ remove whichever is appropriate. Another useful tool is being able to transfer your mind-map onto a Word/Apple document. This can be very useful as it shows your headings and sub-topics in an organized fashion, thus making it easier to read.

Mind-Genius
This is very similar to Inspiration, and can be used in the same way. The main differences between these two packages are: Inspiration offers images and text, which you can add to your mind-map.   Mind-Genius however, is predominately textual; the choice is very much on an individual basis.

Mind-Manager
This software is also for creating mind-maps and can be used in many ways. It can enhance your organisational skills and improve your short-term memory. This in turn can be used to create detailed reports and interesting essays.

Read & Write Gold
This software is an ideal tool to enhance your reading, writing & spelling skills. With the use of an extra toolbar, which can sit anywhere on your desktop, you can produce a higher standard of work. You can also use this software to proof-read your work, by use of a narrator, within the software package. Read & Write Gold can also be used for reading information on the Internet, emails and all Microsoft Office packages.

Wordswork
This package delivers support in the form of an oral presentation, and includes visual imagery and graphics. This software can help to enhance language skills, which in turn can improve the contents of a report, essay or critical evaluation. It also offers access to a Learners Questionnaire which helps to evaluate what kind of learner you are. This can be extremely useful when doing any course work as it lets you see the best way for you to process the information.

Supernova
This software is predominately available for learners with a visual impairment. It provides accessibility for these learners in accessing their e-mails, Internet & other Windows applications. The main function of this software is to magnify the screen whilst adapting to the learners individual requirements. There is also a narrator available to help you navigate whilst using Supernova.

Jaws  
This software again is mainly used for learners with a visual impairment. This too allows the user to access internet, email and other applications such as Microsoft Office, within the college. This can be done by use of an inbuilt voice facility, or by the user hitting certain keystrokes. It has a very simple screen layout, this makes reading much clearer. There are may features contained within this software e.g. Jaws will automatically save documents and will indicate what format is being used.

Dragon Naturally Speaking
This is voice recognition software for learners who find it difficult to operate a keyboard or mouse. This is done by way of dictating through headphones and a microphone. As you speak the text will automatically appear on screen in your word document.

Spelling Disk
This software can be used to enhance your spelling. This can be done through a series of spelling tests which includes questions on all dynamics of spelling e.g. suffixes, prefixes, silent letters etc. It also includes a learner's questionnaire, which can assist you in deciding what kind of learner you are. This will prove useful when creating essays, reports and any other course work.

Brain Builder
This software has proved to be a useful tool in improving one's short-term memory skills. It has been proven in studies carried out that, if we improve our sequential processing i.e. our ability to take in more of what there is to see and hear, this in turn determines how effectively we can express ourselves to others. In using this software you can enhance your ability to memorize coursework, or any other relevant information.

Kurzweil
This software enables the learner to convert print to electronic text, which can then be read to the user in a chosen voice. This program also offers a variety of study skills to make learning easy. Currently it can be run under Windows 98, 2000 and XP.