Code of Practice for Student Assessment



Available formats for OU materials

Introduction

Other formats are provided as an optional way to view OU module material. They are intended to offer more choice in how you study. Some are files suitable for use with portable ebook readers, or are versions of material better suited for use with assistive technologies such as screen readers. Some are for use with audio playing devices such as mp3 players.

Not all formats are available for every module so you will need to check what is available.

Why are these formats provided?

There is no obligation to use these formats. They are available because some people may find them useful and to provide potentially accessible (if basic) versions of content. The primary learning materials are still those delivered via module websites or in print. As they are ‘bonus’ formats offered in addition to the primary material, not all formats are available for all modules. This is usually because there are technical reasons why the module material might not work in another format.

What do I need to use these formats?

You need to have suitable hardware, appropriate software and enough storage on your device to save the files. You must then choose the applicable file for your set up.

What else do I need to know?

Some formats are designed for e-readers or audio-supporting devices (such as an mp3 player); with appropriate software, they can often be read on your desktop laptop/computer.

The eBook reader market is developing rapidly and as such, each reading system will interact with the files we provide differently. The OU cannot guarantee that the file will work or that it will deliver full and faithful reproductions of the content and so you should check it compares with the online/printed content. Note that the Student Computing Helpdesk cannot offer you any support in choosing, downloading or configuring the right software and you should always make sure that you download an app or software from a reputable site.

Which format should I download, if any?

The choice you make will depend on what you need and what devices, apps or other software you have available. The exact features available are highly dependent on the combination of format and reader. You may need to experiment to find which format is best for you. We have given helpful definitions below:

• Ebooks are electronic versions of content that would traditionally have been printed are instead packaged into a single file that can be downloaded and used offline. Some ebooks are designed to provide a fixed representation of how the printed version would appear (PDF), while others are designed so that their display can be altered by changing font size, colours, etc. (EPUB, Mobipocket, Word). If you have a portable eBook reader (or tablet computer), you can download many books to one device and carry the reading device only rather than taking lots of books.

• A reading system is any combination of hardware and software used for displaying ebooks. Some of the main ones on the market are iPad with iBooks, a Kobo, a Nook or Sony ereader with its own bespoke reading software, a PC with a web browser add-on e.g. Google Chrome with Readium, an Android tablet with the Aldiko or Lektz app, aKindle (usually with its own bespoke software), a PC with Kindle previewer, an Android Tablet with FBreader app, or a PC with Adobe Digital Editions. This list is by no means exhaustive and does not imply that these will work with our files due the changing nature of the technology; these are just examples of reading systems.

If you notice a major error with or within any of the formats, you can let someone know by either using the ‘Send feedback on this website’ link within your module website, or posting in your module’s forum.

Are other formats available that are more suitable for my needs?

If you have a disability and require materials in a specific, accessible format that is not provided through your module website, visit the Accessible module materials section of the Services for disabled students website, where you can find out what further support and formats are available. You can also contact your Student Support Team to discuss your requirements.

Some of the formats available on your module website have basic levels of accessibility that might be suitable for some disabled students, so it might be worth investigating if these formats could help in your study.

Should we have a note somewhere about how they might feed back to us if they spot any major errors with any particular item/format? E.g. via the normal ‘Send feedback on this website’ link. Where does that feedback actually end up?

Ebooks (EPUBs)

What is an EPUB file?

EPUB (.epub) is one of the biggest industry-standard ebook formats. It is supported by most ebook readers, with the notable exception of Amazon's Kindle range of products. So as a rule of thumb, unless it is a Kindle device, an EPUB file is likely to be the one that your device will use. EPUB can be read on a wide range of physical devices, mobile apps, web browser extensions and desktop software. If in doubt, this is the best format to try first. It allows for font size, font face and some colour options to be changed.

There are two types of EPUB available, the basic version (EPUB 2 or non-interactive), that can be used on the majority of ebook readers, and a newer, more advanced interactive version (EPUB 3), which is restricted to a small number of ebook readers, such as recent versions of iBooks running on Apple's iPad tablet. The two EPUBs are similar, but the interactive version allows audio, video and interactive activities to be included. It is best to check with the manufacturer of your software which file will work.

Not all modules will have EPUBs, or both types of EPUB, available.

You may benefit from this format if you …

• wish to view your module materials offline

• would like to keep your module materials beyond the end of your module or qualification

• want to have your materials in a portable format so that you can refer to them while on the move

• find your EPUB-supporting device in combination with a screen reader helps with your study

• have a manual impairment and use a device that supports EPUB to help you navigate text

• have a visual impairment and your chosen EPUB-supporting device has a text-to-speech reader that is sufficient to meet your needs

• have a visual impairment and find your EPUB-supporting device has sufficient zoom to meet your needs.

You may have difficulties with this format if you …

• are blind and use VoiceOver, as you may encounter difficulties navigating to descriptions and back to the main text

• have dyslexia and use VoiceOver but prefer not to have the descriptions read within the text when they are not visible on screen

• prefer a specific font not available on the device

• have dyslexia or a visual impairment that requires high-contrast colour settings.

Kindle ebook

What is a Kindle ebook file?

A Kindle ebook is a somewhat limited ebook format used almost exclusively by Amazon's Kindle range of products. At present, audio, video and interactive activities are not supported in this format. Similarly, some technical, mathematical and symbolic content is not supported in this format. The same file can be used by both E ink and colour tablet versions of the Kindle. While there are various mobile apps and desktop software packages available that can use this format, most people will get a better experience by choosing the EPUB file for reading on these platforms.

You may benefit from this format if you …

• wish to view your module materials offline

• want to have your materials in a portable format so that you can refer to them while on the move

• have a manual impairment and use a Kindle to help you navigate text

• have a visual impairment and find your Kindle has sufficient zoom to meet your needs

• want to annotate your learning materials and save them to the device.

You may have difficulties with this format if …

• the screen of the Kindle is not of a sufficient size to allow enough magnification

• you have difficulty navigating the Kindle format

• have black and white a E ink Kindle and need to see pictures in colour.

PDFs

There are several types of PDF available. They differ in quality and accessibility and not every module will have PDFs available. Where they are available, you will find them in one of these locations:

• the ‘Downloads related to this document’ box at the bottom of the page

• your study planner.

What is a PDF file?

A file format with a fixed page size and layout that can be read electronically. It is designed for printing so has a consistent layout and appearance and can be used on many devices so long as it has an appropriate version of Adobe Reader. Display and functionality depends on the device and software. Reading is difficult, however, on small-screened devices where the full page cannot be displayed without scrolling.

You may benefit from this format if you …

• need to print your materials

• would like to write comments on your materials (using your reader’s comment function)

• wish to view your module materials offline

• want to keep your module materials beyond the end of your module or qualification

• want to view the equivalent of a print item on a PC screen or large-screen device

• have dyslexia and like to use the ‘Read out loud’ function while following the text (this function is not really suitable for visually impaired students)want to print out content to read or annotate

• want one version of content that can be read without variation of appearance on multiple devices or hard copy.

You may have difficulties with this format if you …

• use a screen reader intended to work with Word files

• have dyslexia or a visual impairment and require high-contrast colour settings

• use assistive technologies such as ZoomText (a magnifier) and Dragon (speech recognition software) prefer a specific font.

Word version (optimised for screen readers)

What is a Word file?

Word (.doc) is a word processor format that can be opened by most Windows Office software packages available today, as well as several mobile apps. It is provided as a lightly formatted, specially tagged Microsoft Word document and is of most use to students with screen readers such as JAWS. However it can also be useful if you want to copy and quote sections of the content in your own work or want to annotate your learning materials, either within Word or by printing it off and using a pen.

You may benefit from this format if you …

• need to print your materials

• would like to annotate your materials

• wish to view your module materials offline

• want to keep your module materials beyond the end of your module or qualification

• use a screen reader and use the headings for navigation, and if you find the additional text such as ‘end of discussion’ useful for orientation

• use assistive technologies such as ZoomText and Dragon

• want to use a very large font size

• use Windows high-contrast settings.

You may have difficulties with this format if you …

• want to match the screen display to the printout

• find the ‘end of discussion’/‘end of description’ labels distracting

• do not have the Microsoft Word or Office software, or software that can read Word documents on your device.

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