Knowledge Base

We are aware that a large number of people learn very well when information is presented in visual manner.

We came across this visual method of multiplying large numbers which we thought would interest some of our readers:  Quickly Multiply Big Numbers the Japanese Way

What self-respecting blog these days is complete without a list of mobile apps? Not wishing to be behind the times, we decided to join in and present you with our list of favourite apps. As you would expect, the apps listed have an assistive technology / study support slant. This article was jointly written by Zoë Shaw (iOS geek) and Hamish Loveday (Android geek).

Unless otherwise stated, all apps listed are available for both Android and iOS. We will be compiling a similar apps list for Windows Phone in future.

If there are any apps you think we should have…

Just a quick link to a really great resource by Google on how to search effectivly on the web... not a skill to be sniffed at.

http://www.google.com/insidesearch/

This is the final post in a series of four blog posts looking at task and time management and looks at some of the tools that can be used to aid this. Previous posts in the series have been an introduction to task management, a discussion of the process I use involving a master task list, weekly aims list and daily MITs, and ways to beat procrastination and distraction.

If you have something that you use to aid your time & task management that you’d like to tell us about, enter a comment at the end of this blog post.…

This is the third in a series of four blog posts looking at task and time management, and looks at ways to beat procrastination and distraction and stay on task. If you have any tips and tricks to share, please add a comment at the end of this post. Previous posts in the series have been an introduction to task management and a discussion of the process I use involving a master task list, weekly aims list and daily MITs.

We live in a world that is full of distraction. Distractions come in two kinds: internal & external. Internal distractions are…

This is the second in a series of four blog posts looking at task and time management. In these posts I describe my method of managing my work tasks – there is no right or wrong way to manage your workload, the aim of these posts is to help you think about developing a strategy that would work for you.

In this post, I’ll be writing about the process I use to manage my tasks. The first post in the series looks at why time and task management is important. The third post tells you about my tips & tricks for…

Everyone has tasks to do and limited time to do them regardless of their role: employee, student, homemaker … the only difference is the type of tasks and the route via which they come in.

This is the first in a series of four blog posts looking at task and time management. In these posts I describe my method of managing my work tasks – I have other roles also for which I use a similar method.

This first post is an introduction to time and task management - why it's important and why we often don't do it. The second…

Backing up your data is extremely important and should be something you do regularly. If you wait until something goes wrong with your computer or file before you think about this, it is too late! See this cautionary tale from John Lemon, the DIT Student Liaison Officer. It’s also important to back up data if your computer has to be sent away for repair, or in order to move that data to a new computer (e.g. from a loan computer to a computer provided as the result of a DSA application).

We recommend that you follow the advice given in…

Whether it's checking Facebook or following the news, constant access to the Internet can be a very distracting temptation. We all deal with avoidance on a daily basis and when you're finding writing that essay particularly troublesome; that distraction can become avoidance all too easy. There is a good reason student flats become strangely tidy around revision time. In the same way your web browser makes it very easy to avoid doing work that simply needs to be done: how often have you been working away only to have a little voice in your head asking "I wonder if anybody's…

One of the most frequently recommended technologies for students applying for DSA is text-to-speech. One of my most frequently listened to podcasts is Grammar Girl (and yes, I know, I still need to improve my grammar…). Several months ago there was an episode called Ten Tips to Banish Typos. Amongst her tips were “Have someone else read your work” and “Read your work aloud”, and I was reminded again of the value that using text-to-speech can provide for everyone who has to proofread, not just those who have a specific reason to use this technology.

Often in DSAs, we recommend…

To back up your LS data you first have to enable hidden files in windows and then copy the correct folder to a backup medium such as a USB pen or your H drive.

Show Hidden Files/FoldersFollow these steps to display hidden files and folders.

1. Open Folder Options by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Folder Options.



2. Click the View tab

3. Under Advanced settings, click Show hidden files and folders, and then click OK.



Backing up Livescribe Data folder

1. Open up My Computer and navigate to the following:

C:Usersyour_windows_account_nameAppDataLocal

Note…

Do you ever suffer eye-strain as a result of reading lots of text online?



If you answered yes, then you may be interested in Readable. We came across this simple web app while looking for ways to help users who find it difficult to read from computer screens.

A web page is not the ideal medium for reading large amounts of text. Adverts, pop-ups, and other objects, can all interrupt the flow of text, making it difficult to read the actual content. More often than not, you’ll find yourself printing an online article because it makes for a better reading experience.…

Are you a Mac user? Do you use Microsoft Word?

If so, do you know about Notebook view?



The Notebook view allows you to:



organise notes

record audio notes which are directly linked to your typed notes

search your notes

create tasks



It's like having one big electronic notebook - and if you prefer typing to handwriting it's a great, flexible, way to take notes in lectures. 

For more information, see the following external resources:



Create a Text and Audio Notebook in Office 2008 for Mac (video tutorial)

Taking Notes (tutorials on Microsoft Office:Mac website)



(Note: if you are Windows user, you…