Problems using computers during your studies
When you encounter problems with using computers, this may have a number of different causes. It could be due to a physical disability, for instance. In that case, you might encounter obstacles in connection with using a computer mouse. Or you might not be able to read anything on the computer without text-to-speech or dictation software. It is also possible that you are easily distracted when using a computer. All these factors may affect your academic performance.
This is what I need or might need
Support with using a computer
A range of facilities, accommodations and schemes are available at your educational institution and nationally, which may be very helpful to you and might make it easier to achieve success in your degree programme. As a student who has problems using a computer, you might have a need for the following:
- Guidance and advice. There are a number of people at school who could help you with this. Get in touch with these people if you encounter obstacles during your degree programme.
- Teaching and testing aids. When you have a disability or a special need, you might rely on tools or aids during your degree programme to help you participate in lessons or take tests or exams. For example, you may rely on text-to-speech and dictation software. In some cases, you can be reimbursed by the Social Security Agency for these so-called ‘portable aids’.
Have a look at the other facilities, accommodations or schemes that might be helpful for you, too.
Tips
Using computers
- Take frequent breaks, move around, change position and do relaxation exercises.
- Personal laptop: a laptop with the right font, size, colours and lay-out for your needs.
- Classroom: make use of an accessible, modified classroom for using computers.
- Reserving facilities: you can reserve a computer, workstation and/or chair (potentially specific ones) with permanent settings and software.
- Desk chair: a good, modified desk chair.
- Text editor: use a ‘basic’ text editor to avoid distractions.
- One subject at a time: keep your attention on a single subject. Avoid opening too many programs, close your email inboxes and only visit relevant websites.
- Mind Mapping software: use the Mind Mapping technique to help you study or create a summary (you can do this on paper or with the software on the computer).
- Computer programs for planning: use computer programs for tasks such as planning and organising your tasks, dictation programs and text-to-speech.
- ICT tools and aids for dyslexia:
- You can use text-to-speech software such as Kurzweil, TextAid or Balabolka.
- The conversion tool Robotekst converts non-accessible digital files into accessible information.
- Digital and other dictionaries.
- Text editor: use a ‘basic’ text editor to avoid distractions. The ‘Outline’ function, found under the ‘View’ tab in Microsoft Office® Word, can help you organise text for a paper or thesis in a more structured way.
- The institution where you are enrolled may have specific computers with ICT tools and aids for dyslexic students. See if you can find more information about this.
- The ‘Mind Mapping’ technique can help you organise and summarise information. Examples of Mind Mapping software are bubble.us, Coggle and Mindmaster.
- Textbooks from Dedicon, provided in adjusted form. Dedicon has a collection of over 7,500 accessible textbooks for students at research universities and universities of applied sciences, for instance in spoken form or with enlarged print.
-
ICT tools and aids for taking exams: ask your study adviser or student counsellor whether you can use ICT tools and aids when taking exams, and if so, which ones.