Online Resources
Strategies to Reduce Computer Fatigue
In the online environment, please consider how you are using your computer. A laptop was never intended to be a “full” time computer. If you have a docking station or desktop computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse available that will reduce stress on your body as you spend more time on the computer, please review these ergonomic setups and try to make your environment as ergo-friendly as possible.
- How to Ergonomically optimize your Workspace
- Setting up an Ergonomic Computer Station
- Create a Study Space
- Consider reducing the strain on your wrists/hands by using Voice Recognition technology such as Talk & Type in Read & Write.
- Consider reducing your exposure to blue light in your monitor screen by adjusting blue light filters on your devices. Or try downloading the free f.lux program computer software that helps reduce brightness and blue light strain.
- Consider installing Read & Write Software to support engaging with digital documents in multiple ways. This tool supports online reading, writing, note-taking, and research. Read & Write software is available for use with Android, iPad, Windows, Mac OS, Chrome, and Edge. You can download and install versions of the software from the ECU Download Center. Online Video Tutorials and Playlists are available.
- Consider planning and time management for your online courses. You may need more frequent breaks away from the computer.
Textbook Access Alternatives
There are many resources available to access your textbooks for online courses. You may be able to find free access to digital versions of your textbooks using the links and instructions below.
Strategies to Support Writing
- Use mind-mapping software to brainstorm organize your thoughts and ideas.
- Use Talk & Type from Read & Write to get your thoughts out on paper.
- Use Grammarly to check for grammar mistakes.
- Use Text to Speech software to have your paper read back to you.
- Microsoft Learning Tools
- Text to Speech in Mac
- Text to Speech on iPhone, iPad
- Text to Speech on Android Device
Strategies for Supporting Math
- Independent Learning Math Tools in OneNote
- Microsoft Math Solver will help you solve and graph problems.
- EquatIO will allow you to write math easier and have it read aloud to you.
Strategies for Staying Focused/Organized
- Strict Workflow is a Chrome add-on that will help you stay more productive at work by temporarily blocking social and other time-wasting websites. It blocks the sites for 25 minutes allowing you to work distraction-free and then will remove the block for 5 minutes. You can repeat until all your work is done.
- Stay Focused is a Chrome add-on, StayFocused increases your productivity by limiting the amount of time you spend on time-wasting websites.
- GLEAN Glean note taking web app lets you record lectures and take notes independently.
- Define a new routine using time management strategies:
- Time Management Tips for Online Courses
- Time Management Apps
- Consider using an Assignment Calculator to help you break assignments and projects into smaller tasks.
- Try Microsoft To Do, Homework Homie, or MyHomework to keep track of assignments.
- Use Outlook to keep track of your assignments.
Strategies for Visual Learners
Note: Automatic transcription does not replace the need to have multimedia captioned for those with hearing loss.
- Live transcription can benefit students who may learn better by having visual focus when listening for long periods of time, such as listening to a podcast.
- Live transcription can benefit those students who find it difficult to type or write for long periods of time, such as students with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Repetitive Stress Injuries, or Autism.
- Live transcription can support ESL learners as they see and hear the processed language.
- Tools
- Webcaptioner is a browser-based tool that presents captioning of auditory content in a separate window. You can export the transcript as a document. (Free)
- Otter is a cloud-based tool that works on a mobile device or browser. It is an audio recording tool that has automatic transcription, in addition, it has a highlighting feature so you can highlight important statements. You can embed pictures in the transcription, edit the transcript as well as share and export the transcript. The free version allows 600 minutes of recording, there is an educational discount of 50% off the normal pricing or about $4.50 per month.
Strategies for Supporting Mental Health
Psycom highlights the best mental health apps for 2020 and experts weigh in about just how effective they are as an alternative treatment
25 of the Best Apps to Support Mental Health
Strategies for Students with Hearing Loss
If you are enrolled in online courses, please let Disability Support Services or your Instructor know if you need assistance turning on captions for video content.
- Free RelayNCServices can be used to support talking over the phone or interacting in live meetings with ECU Instructors or Staff.
- National Deaf Center Tips
- How to turn on subtitles and closed captions for iPad/iPhone
- How to turn on captioning in Android Devices
- Set up Visual Alerts in Windows 10
- Set up Visual Alerts in Mac OS
Strategies for Students with Vision Loss
- Use text to speech support when available. Consider installing Read & Write Plugin for Google Chrome, or the full Read & Write program from the ECU Download Center.
- All devices have tools to help make your device easier to see.
- If you are thinking about moving to a screen reader, check out the free screen reading software NVDA, which is being used by more people than JAWS.
- Training – American Foundation for the Blind – NVDA Training (Free)
- Training – NVDA User Guide (Free)
- If you need assistance in reading math, try EquatIO.
- Introduction to using a screen reader in Microsoft Word