Opera is now FREE and can be downloaded from the web address above. The browser, unlike Internet Explorer and Netscape it uses less system resources, important if using it on an old or slower machine. The browser is small about 3.0Mb is size. This is in stark contrast to the main two browsers, which need 100Mb or more of disc space.
Despite the lack of size Opera is a very fast browser that tries to adhere to the correct Internet standards, it is being upgraded continuously and is stable. The main reason you may want to use it with students with special needs is the very comprehensive configuration options and the simple keystroke access to some elements that should have been built into the main two browsers. You can even add your school logo or other image file to make it part of the browser.
An example of this is the screen magnification, pressing the 0 number key makes the screen magnify by around 10% for each press. You can continue to magnify the page by simply continuing to press the 0 key, it will magnify up to 1,000%! To return the page to normal just press the number key 6. This could be very useful if you were using an Electronic Whiteboard and want the students to read the text of the page. Another useful key press is F11, if this key is pressed the web page is displayed without any tool bars of other distracting browser edges, what you see is only the content of the page. This could be very useful if you want to display material to an audience without distractions. Pressing F11 again brings the page back to normal once again. There are many other keyboard options, which make this browser of use to someone who finds mouse access difficult.
Now version 6of the browser is FREE with a small advert panel at the top right of the browser. If you want to get rid of this minor intrusion you can buy the browser, this will remove the advertisements from the top of the browser. Education discounts are available for school and other educational establishments.
Although the vast majority of people do use these two browsers to access the Internet, it does not necessarily follow that they are the best browsers for students with special needs.
Some issues to consider when using an Internet browser with special needs students:
Speed
Keyboard access (without a mouse)
Standards compliant
Help for disabilities
Speech facilities
Page magnification
You may like to consider a different browser, which may help to develop skills in accessing the Internet. This is a web browser called Opera, this browser is being developed in Norway. The browser has a number of advantages for use with students with learning difficulties.
You can find the Opera web site at http://www.opera.com
Most people who use the Internet use one of the two main browsers, Internet Explorer or Netscape.