In this video, I will explain how the Learnosity Voice interface is easily customisable. This includes the language of the web and voice interfaces, and how all features can be turned on and off as required.

For example, when a student or teacher logs into the Irish government installation of Learnosity Voice, the entire interface is in the Irish language. The interface can be changed to English is required by the user.

Every single text item in the student, teacher and administration interfaces come from a language file that we call a resource bundle. To create a new language here, we simply edit this file in a spreadsheet.

Resource bundles are also useful for changing terminology in English language interface. For example:

• For the Learning Federation in Australia, we used the word “conversation”.
• For the Open University we use the word “session”.
• In New South Wales we use the word test.

The video also shows how in various installations, certain items are enabled and disabled as required, so that students and teachers never have to see an item that is irrelevant to them.

Also, fully customisable is the voice interface. We simply record each prompt in the language and accent we require.

The video includes excerpts from calls from some of Learnosity’s installations. For example, The Le@rning Federation voice interface was recorded in English with an Australian accent. The Irish project is an example of the same interface in the Irish language. Another English language example is the Open University in the UK.

More Learnosity Demo/ How-to Videos.

Learnosity's OnScreen assessment and learning technology allows for the delivery of tests to students efficiently and effectively. It is designed from the ground up to handle "High Stakes" exams on diverse school systems.

Uniquely, Learnosity OnScreen has been developed specifically to deliver assessments that are completely accessible to students with a wide range of disabilities and special needs. These include the provision of:

• Size-modifiable texts/images
• Pause-test buttons
• Individually set extra time provisions
• Use of screen-reader software for totally blind students
• Pre-recorded audio questions
• Keyboard-based navigation for students with mobility issues.

The system is already used by the NSW Board of Studies in Sydney to deliver huge numbers of onscreen assessments.

We have now made a demonstration website available. Please feel free to have a look.

If you are interested to learn more about the product, and ongoing developments, we would love to hear from you.

I recently discovered that the Office of the Board of Studies NSW has been honoured with not 1 but 2 awards in the 2008 "Excellence in e-Government Award". The AGIMO awards allows all levels of Government (Federal, State and Local) across Australia to enter their innovative IT projects.

At the international CeBIT Conference at Darling Harbour, Dr John Bennett accepted two awards for IT Innovation given by the Australian Government Chief Information Officer Ann Stewart.

The projects in question are:

• Assessment Resource Center
• Vision Impaired Version of Statewide Online Computing Skills Test

Learnosity is proud to be involved with these projects and delighted that the NSW Board of Studies have been recognised for their ground breaking work.

You can read the summaries of all the projects on the AGIMO Awards website.

Last week at the Innovations in Testing Conference in Dallas, I was lucky enough to speak to Barbara Henderson from the Accessible Tests Department of the American Printing House for the Blind. She has sent me links to some of their research, which is very relevant to anyone interested delivering accessible on screen examinations.

While we already use a suitable sans-serif font, the APH have developed a special font for optimal readability.

They have also published a full guide to Making Tests Accessible for Students with Visual Impairments. After giving the guide a quick read, we're delighted to see Learnosity's OnScreen assessment products conform to the relevant areas here.

The following are some of the other links which I found very useful. They are a must-read for anyone delivering assessments.

• Guidelines for Design of Tactile Graphics
• An Accommodations Guide for Parents and Students with Visual Impairments American Foundation for the Blind, 2005.
• Checklist for Administration of Tests to Students with Visual Impairments American Foundation for the Blind, 2005.
• Considerations for the Development and Review of Universally Designed Assessments National Center for Educational Outcomes (NCEO), Technical Report #42, November 2005.
• New Issues in Assessment for Children with Visual Impairments EnVision, Spring 2005.

I've just arrived back from the Emerging Directions in Global Education conference in New Delhi, India.

There were some great insights into the Indian and worldwide education systems and some excellent discussion and ideas to move it forward.

I had the pleasure of meeting many people from all aspects of education including government officials, academics, vice-chancellors, investors and private entrepreneurs and from all over the world including the India, USA, Mauritius, China, Malaysia and more.

I had the privilege of speaking about some of our innovative products in a session titled "Innovative Approaches in Evaluation & Assessment". The presentation went down very well and there was considerable interest particularly in the Voice based applications.

Thanks for a great time and I look forward to making it back to India soon.

Mark