Our latest thoughts from the world of technology in education & the workplace

Texthelp Blog - Our latest thoughts from the world of technology in education & the workplace

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How has technology impacted the way we work?

If you think back 20 years, technology was just beginning to shape how we live and work. The internet was seen as a luxury at that time, and the only CRM software and diary systems we used were a rolodex and a hard backed diary.

Fast forward to the present day - technology shapes almost everything we do!

The trip to the shopping center has been replaced with hours of scrolling through Amazon. The big shop once a week, or month, is now a simple click and collect or home delivery. It’s made our lives much easier, much simpler. In the workplace, we’re experiencing the same thing.

Digital communication channels, such as email, live chat functionality and online forums, provide us with more choice in how we connect with others. In fact, it’s reduced the amount of time we physically speak to our colleagues and customers. This has been stretched even further with the current pandemic as meetings have become digital instead of face to face. 

Technology is very important to the modern workplace as it helps everyone to work more efficiently. It allows us to collaborate more, and it absolutely keeps the world more digitally connected.

How does technology help neurodivergent staff at work?

At Texthelp we believe that everyone has the right to understand and be understood - that is the exact purpose of assistive technology.

Assistive technology could be as simple as having screen masking technology enable someone with a visual impairment to read the documents on their computer screen.

Or, it could include text-to-speech technology, empowering someone with dyslexia to consume content much easier. Being able to have their emails read aloud to them saves them time, allowing them to be more productive in their working day.

Technology should always enable or empower an individual.

With so much choice, how do we know which technology is most effective for our staff?

It is important to remember that one size does not fit all when it comes to your employees. Everyone will have individual needs, and preferences, that you will have to cater for. 

I would recommend looking at products that offer a range of features and benefits, and products that are customisable to the user. For some of your employees a full range of assistive features will be essential, but for the majority of your employees, they may find a certain selection of features beneficial.

I would also recommend testing and trialing any technology that you are considering. Create an internal steering group that includes key stakeholders and end users to get real feedback from your workforce. 

What technological trends will define the next decade for people with neurodifferences?

Covid - 19 has changed the future of the traditional office workplace. We have already seen, and will continue to see, a large switch to working from home. We’ll also begin to see a hybrid approach to working. In fact, research has shown that 61% of managers would like to practice blended working in the future. That means the virtual workspace is here to stay.

We have already seen major tech companies such as Microsoft and Google invest heavily in ensuring that their online meeting rooms are fully accessible and come with automated captioning. It’s great to see that shift, where technology is becoming inclusive by design. It’s no longer a case of there being specific trends for people with neurodivergences and disabilities. The case for accessibility is being realized more and more. 

We’re hopeful that as technology advances with 5G and virtual reality we’ll see accessibility at the core of design processes.

What can organizations do now to future proof their business for the future of technology?

The most important thing is to educate themselves on what areas of their organization would benefit from technology, and what technology is available to them.

It can be tough to change the culture of an organization to be more open to technology and difficult to challenge a legacy way of doing things. To really affect change it has to be a top down approach. 

Alongside establishing a technology-centric approach, organizations should create and implement strong processes as to how they evaluate technology. This will help them to more easily decide on future technology, and whether it would benefit their organization and employees.

What initiatives or technologies has your business implemented, and have you seen any direct successes as a result?

At Texthelp, we use Google Workspace across the business. Whilst I wasn’t part of the Texthelp team for the transition to using Google Workspace, I do know that across my career, it’s really changed my working processes for the better. 

The ability to collaborate on the same document with colleagues in real time has made our entire workforce more productive. The fact that, as an organization, we were also already fully utilizing Google meet and hangouts, helped us to make the transition to working from home easier and more streamlined throughout the ongoing pandemic.

In the space of supporting neurodiversity at work, what are the next steps for your business?

At Texthelp we are on the final stages of our journey with the Disability Confident Scheme, a scheme designed to help organizations better recruit, retain and support employees with disabilities. 

We want to help create a world where difference, language or disability are no longer barriers, and it’s important for us to practice what we preach. 

This involves seeking to employ more individuals with neurodivergent backgrounds to further benefit our teams, and firming up our partnerships with other great organizations who are proactive in this space.

We are also working hard to be outspoken and communicate the diverse and inclusive culture of our organization to our staff. It’s important that they know that we’re here to listen, and what support is available to them.

Hear more from Stuart in our recorded webinar on supporting neurodiversity in an evolving workspace. You’ll also hear from Aidan Healy, CEO at Lexxic, and Taljinder, an inclusive technology user with dyslexia.

Texthelp: Supporting neurodiversity in an evolving workspace

In this Q&A session, we hear from Stuart Blair on the role tech plays in today’s evolving workspace, particularly for neurodiverse employees.

The role of tech in an evolving workspace

The role of technology in an evolving workspace

In this Q&A session, we hear from Stuart Blair, Workplace Product Manager at Texthelp, on the role technology plays in today’s evolving workplace, particularly for those with neurodiverse conditions. He also explored this topic further in our recent webinar. 

We recently made some changes under the hood in the EquatIO Menu.  The EquatIO Menu is the large blue rectangle in the lower left corner of the product.  With the addition of ‘Switch User’ now being available to users, Microsoft customers can now click on the button and select ‘Sign In With Microsoft’ to begin using the Chrome extension. 

Many school districts around the world have adopted Chromebooks as their hardware of choice. In some cases, it has been the most inexpensive way to get devices into the hands of students. However, in the past, those Chromebook specific schools have opted for Office 365 as their software solution or method for collaboration. This has put a strain on them being able to use some Texthelp’s finest products, including EquatIO. The Unified Login will help those navigating these user experiences I mentioned above. We are very excited to extend our product to the hands of these students who were previously unable to login for premium feature access.  

Word and all Office 365 collaboration tools have recently made great strides to catch up to other tech companies in the market today. We recognized that users have many choices out there to promote student collaboration which is critical in a digital learning environment. I am excited to share with you that now when creating a new Word Online document, you can click on the EquatIO toolbar extension in Chrome and open a fully functioning EquatIO toolbar. You will be able to use the EquatIO toolbar in the same manner in which you used it with Microsoft Word which was locally installed on your device. Please note: In order to directly insert math you may need to first install the Office - Enable Copy and Paste Extension before using EquatIO.   

Office 365 Windows Online Demo

What Does That Small Circular Button In The Bottom Right Corner Do?

New to our EquatIO Chrome toolbar is a ‘Copy Math As’ button. This button has been in our EquatIO for Desktop platform for some time. By default, the button is grayed out, until the user has entered Math into the editor.  Once the math is recognized, you will be able to click on the button and ‘Copy LaTex,’ ‘Copy MathML,’ Copy The Spoken Text’, ‘Copy HTML,’ ‘Copy Image (SVG),’ Copy Image (PNG),’ ‘Copy URL,’ or Download the math image. You may use this button to freely copy and paste math wherever those input methods are allowable in other product. For example, if someone says, can I use EquatIO with a Kahoot. The answer is to find out, because really the question is, can Kahoot accept a copy and pasted image. If the answer is no, then you ask again, can it access an image that I have saved on my desktop? If that answer is yes, then EquatIO will easily integrate with other educational technology tools. 

Other Office 365 Applications To Use EquatIO

One of the first questions asked of me when we announced our recent integration with Word Online was, what about the rest of the core online applications offered into Office 365?  We would love to see our customer feedback and analytics before we decide to do any future work within the Office 365 suite, however we are allowing users to click on the Chrome extension and to retrieve the full toolbar experience in Excel Online, PowerPoint Online, & OneNote Online.  In order to be successful using EquatIO in these platforms, users will simply need to create their math as they typically would and then click the Copy Math As button.  Most users will find that ‘Copy Image (PNG)’ and then selecting ‘CTRL V’ to paste the math will provide the easiest navigation.  

For our users who still prefer the desktop experience, last month we released an EquatIO Powerpoint integration. Powerpoint has long been considered one of the best presentation tools in the market. Powerpoint slides make it easier to chunk learning content for students preventing them from being so overwhelmed as they learn new content. Now, a user can open the desktop application, select the menu, then select ‘Desktop Options.’ The default insert method will always open up Word for Desktop. If you prefer to toggle it to Powerpoint, then simply follow the steps above.

One of the most noticeable features missing for me as an EquatIO user in the Desktop version versus the Chrome version of the two products was that Chrome extension users always had an additional button on their toolbar that Desktop users never have had.  Now Microsoft Word Online users can use the ‘Insert Mathspace’  button and have students create and develop their understanding of the math that they are being tasked to make, and insert those digital manipulatives right back into their Word Document Online.  In case you haven’t heard, Mathspace is EquatIO’s webapp that gives users direct access to many different input methods, including a freehand drawing tool, shapes and smart shapes.  I encourage you to explore the Shapes drawer as that item alone contains approximately 150 items for EquatIO users to use and enjoy.

We've completed rounding out the STEM tools input method for all ways that EquatIO Microsoft users can access a Periodic Table, the Desmos Scientific Calculator, and Molecular Viewer.  All three STEM tools are available in the EquatIO Chrome Extension, the EquatIO Desktop Application For Windows, and throughout EquatIO mathspace.

I'm always keen to hear what our users think of all the latest work on EquatIO, so why not try out these latest updates and let me know in the comments below.

EquatIO has just got better for users on Windows and O365. Latest updates include an integration with Microsoft Powerpoint and a new Unified login.

Even more ways & places for digital math for Windows and O365 users

We recently made some changes under the hood in the EquatIO Menu, so now there's even more ways and places users on Windows and O365 can use EquatIO to make math digital, including a new unified login, full toolbar support for Word Online and an integration with Microsoft Powerpoint. Read on to find out more...

For a lot of students, math can be very scary. If you’re not confident in math, solving a math problem can be just as intimidating as entering a haunted house. For this Halloween, we want to help your students make math less scary with fun Halloween activities that you can do with EquatIO, our digital STEM tool.

Before getting to the activities, we’d like to give a special shout out to Megan Mongelli, a Technology Integration Specialist at Fort Mill Schools in South Carolina, for sharing several of her Halloween-themed activities with us. Thanks Megan!

And now, onto the wickedly awesome Halloween activities!

See how many different Jack-o-Lanterns your students can come up with in this fun combinations problem.

Activity 2 - (2nd Grade) - Created by Megan Mongelli

Can you name that pumpkin? Expose students to the world of 2D & 3D images in EquatIO mathspace to help them in the naming of shapes, counting, vertices, edges, corners, and faces. Get started here.  

All you’ll need are some dice for this pumpkin-themed activity about probability.

Activity 4 -  (4th Grade) -  Created by Megan Mongelli

Are you seeking some creepy word problems? Look no further than these fourth grade brain teasers. Click on the link here to get started.

Activity 5 - (5th & 6th Grade) -  Created by Megan Mongelli

5th and 6th graders will love this activity, which combines Google Drawings with EquatIO’s Graph Editor. Who can name this Halloween character? Plot the ordered pairs to find out! Access the activity here.

Make a Halloween-themed image with EquatIO’s Graph Editor. Need some inspiration to get started? Here’s an example.


 Activity 7 - (7th Grade) -  Created by Megan Mongelli

Test your students’ knowledge of multi-step equations in this Halloween-themed activity using EquatIO in Google Forms. Access the Google Form here, which is set up to automate grading!

What’s Halloween without a pumpkin tossing word problem? It’ll help your students learn about Quadratic Regression. Get the activity here.

We’d love to see all the spooky fun you and your students are having while tackling these activities. So, please share pictures with us on Twitter using the hashtag: #MakeMathLessScary. 

For this Halloween, we want to help your students make math less scary with fun Halloween activities that you can do with EquatIO, our digital STEM tool.

8 EquatIO Activities to Celebrate Halloween in your Math Class

At Texthelp, we love Halloween. After all, it gives you the opportunity to take things that are normally scary (spiders, ghosts, clowns) and turn them into something fun. After all, who doesn’t love a good costume party?!

The reality is far from a movie, but we have been able to see the heroes amongst our NHS staff and key workers that have kept essential services running during the pandemic. Currently, we are living in an unusual world, and the way we adapt can help us to persevere and even grow within these times. This unusual time calls for unusual thinking. So, instead of looking for the hero or superhero from a movie for support, let’s look at how we can learn from each other. Here, we’ve identified 10 ways neurodiverse thinking can help us to adapt to an unusual world. 

Many neurodivergent people have a keen sense of curiosity and can be very imaginative. Many artists, actors and authors are known to be neurodivergent and have been able to make great use of their imagination. This unique thinking style can be harnessed during lockdown by unleashing your creative side. Try painting a picture (a great way to start is to look at paint by number kits), candle making, pottery and calligraphy writing. These are things we can all learn. Let your inner Picasso come through! 

Many neurodivergent individuals have faced obstacles and setbacks through their life, meaning that they have developed strategies to help them become more resilient and move forward. “Look at the positives” was suggested by a dyslexic employee at Lexxic when they were adapting to lockdown. Individuals with a neurodivergent condition implement strategies to help them become more resilient by doing things like mindfulness, yoga, or starting a journal and writing down 3 things they are grateful for. 

Many successful entrepreneurs are neurodivergent. It has been speculated that social distancing and being in lockdown could result in many more innovative ideas and new businesses forming. Some individuals have switched their attention to marketing their ideas in this new world by using technology and social media. Why are so many entrepreneurs neurodivergent? They are proactive and let their ideas flow. They have flexibility to let their passion come through and enjoy talking through their ideas with others. Some find using a mind map can be very helpful to break their ideas down, which can help translate the idea into actions. Use this free time to think about your ideas, get them down into a mind map and set some actions for yourself.

Many individuals with Autism Spectrum condition (ASC) have a real strength for punctuality. Developing a clear, structured routine can really help with managing life under lockdown restrictions. Some individuals with a neurodivergent condition struggle with organization but have implemented highly effective coping mechanisms. These include having a set routine for when to start/end the day and when to take a lunch break. Working from home can sometimes result in not taking enough breaks, so adding lunch breaks in your calendar can help with sticking to a routine. Going for a walk before you start work can help you feel more energized, and it could create time for exercise. Having a routine can be very helpful to those that need to share childcare and other responsibilities while working.

One thing that Covid-19 has taught us is that we need to think differently, and neurodivergent individuals are skilled at identifying issues and developing a plan to solve problems. People with Dyslexia and ADHD, for example, are often out-of-the box thinkers with the ability to see the bigger picture, and that’s beneficial in times of uncertainty. On the other hand, people with Autism often have superb attention to detail, and when it comes to problem-solving, that’s beneficial to businesses adapting to change. 

A lot of people with a neurodivergent condition have the ability of hyperfocus, a strength that allows them to really focus on something that interests them. The ability to remain focused, and not become distracted by what is going on around you, can really help with productivity. It allows individuals to engage in activities that offer enjoyment and psychological reward. If there is a task that you are particularly interested in at work, ask to participate in more of these. When at home, if you have an interest in things like astronomy, or have a home DIY project, use this interest to focus your attention, and try not get distracted by things outside of your control. Planning your time can also really help with focus. 

Empathy can be a strength some neurodivergent individuals possess. During this uncertain time, many people may be feeling overwhelmed, therefore practicing empathy could be beneficial for yourself and others. Promoting work-life balance can reduce undue burden and being flexible with deadlines during this period can really help. Offering emotional support to others, where possible, can help them feel cared about and it shows that you are considerate of their challenges. 

Some neurodivergent individuals can have good verbal communication skills and are more inclined to build cohesiveness and bring people together. They organize more communication through phone or via video conferencing, as some can have difficulty composing emails and prefer using their verbal strengths. A positive impact that people with a neurodivergent condition have reported during this pandemic is that they are socializing more with colleagues than they ever did before. For example, they have taken part in team quizzes and family game nights. This can help us all with social interaction and connection at a time where we are required to socially distance ourselves in person. 

Another thing the pandemic has taught us is that we need to think logically and rationally about decisions. Some individuals that are neurodivergent, such as those with ASC, can be logical thinkers and tend to think systematically by using data. This can be helpful for those that need to make decisions that are free from confirmation bias. 

A trait that many neurodivergent individuals possess is honesty. This should always be encouraged, particularly during the pandemic, for people to reach out and ask for help and support if they are feeling overwhelmed or finding it difficult to adapt to working under restricted conditions. Being honest with others about things like project deadlines or the impact of Covid-19 on the business can bring in authenticity and respect.

Hear more from Lexxic in our video series partnership. Across three short videos, we explore neurodivergent conditions in detail, and offer advice on what organizations can do to support neurodivergent employees.

Watch the series | Supporting neurodiversity | Texthelp & Lexxic

Lexxic are leaders in empowering neurodiversity in the workplace. A specialist psychological consultancy, they believe all minds belong, so it is their mission to inspire a working world that supports and values the talents of neurodivergent minds, empowering individuals to be their best selves at work.

We are all adjusting our lives in these unprecedented times, and you cannot help but think: are we in a movie?

10 ways neurodiverse thinking can help us adapt to an unusual world

10 ways neurodivergent thinking can help us adapt to an unusual world

We are all adjusting our lives in these unprecedented times, and you cannot help but think: are we in a movie where a superhero comes in and saves the world? 

Blended working is where employees work both onsite (in the office) and off-site (at home). It also includes using online training. A blended workforce includes employees on different contracts, such as permanent, part-time, contractors, freelancers, and temporary workers. It has been argued that a blended workplace promotes diversity and can bring about positive outcomes, such as: increased productivity, higher work satisfaction, collaboration, and can reduce absenteeism. Employers need to ensure that the culture in the workplace is inclusive and every employee should feel that they are returning to a supportive and caring environment. Blending working brings many positives to the future of workplaces, however, neurodivergent individuals may require support in adjusting to a blended working lifestyle.

Impact of blended working on neurodiversity 

After successive lockdowns, many neurodivergent workers have already had to adjust to working from home, and indeed some may have already been in the process of returning back to the office. The impact in change of routine may pose some challenges. And, as employers prepare for a future of blended working, what can they do to ensure neurodivergent individuals achieve a work-life blend?

The constant change in working from home and then traveling to the office during the week could be difficult for some people with a neurodivergent condition, such as those with ASC (Autism Spectrum Condition). It can lead to feelings of stress or anxiety if a structure is not put into place. Some ASC individuals even report having sleepless nights when they think about their travel to work.

Preparation is key. Speaking to employers and setting up a fixed schedule can help manage feelings of anxiety. Looking ahead and planning travel time to the office can help to feel prepared. Keeping basic structures in place, such as waking up at the same time everyday and having a set time for going to bed, may also ease feelings of overwhelm.

Organizations are restructuring workplaces post-lockdown. From one-way systems and socially-distanced workstations to new rules on shared kitchen usage. This means that new rules need to be learned and understood. ASC individuals may find this sudden change difficult to understand and manage, so would benefit from advance notice. Neurodivergent individuals may also find other challenges when entering socially-distanced office spaces, such as wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, or adjusting to fewer people being in the office.

PPE equipment such as masks and gloves have been widely introduced to the workplace. Neurodivergent individuals can have sensitivity issues, such as being over-sensitive to sound and touch. Some may find wearing a mask to be uncomfortable, and others may find it difficult to communicate as they may not be able to hear clearly, or see the mouth moving if they rely on lip reading. Reasonable adjustments should be considered in these situations, such as providing those who are unable to wear a mask with a pass to help avoid any misunderstandings in following office rules. Adaptive PPE equipment could also be considered, such as inserting mask brackets into face masks, to provide more room for breathing, and reducing the mask from touching the face. 

Social interaction may be limited, with some workers wanting to take extra care to maintain social distancing levels. Some neurodivergent individuals, such as those with ADHD and dyslexia, may find this to be socially isolating. Setting up team meetings and events can help to drive engagement. Some neurodivergent staff may be worried and apprehensive about returning to the workplace. Providing a safe environment can help ensure that everyone is comfortable with the different levels of social distancing. Arranging return to work conversations with line managers can help to identify work priorities and allow for an open dialog to raise any concerns which would help neurodivergent staff to plan and prepare for a work-life blend.

Checklists and to-do lists are helpful for those with a neurodivergent condition, as they can assist with time management and act as a reminder of tasks and appointments. Keeping organized professionally and personally can help to feel prepared, such as preparing lunches the night before, laying out work clothes, looking ahead to see what important deadlines and meetings are approaching and packing a bag the night before with the work laptop, phone and safety equipment such as hand sanitisers, gloves and masks.

Many employees during lockdown have been unable to do their substantive role and some may need to undergo workplace training to adjust to completing tasks in a post lockdown environment. Neurodivergent individuals may struggle to read under timed conditions, however the use of assistive technology, such as Read&Write from Texthelp, which can be used on many devices, could support individuals to understand written text effectively and support them when reading training documents at home or at work. 

Flexible working will also need to account for how training and learning is delivered in the future, and some neurodivergent individuals would find it beneficial to know what support can be put in place for them, and what further resources they can access to help achieve a work-life blend. 

Remember, achieving a work-life blend is to also allow time to switch off and relax when not at work, especially when working from home.

Working in partnership with specialists in neurodiversity in the workplace, such as Lexxic, can help organizations and neurodivergent individuals to access resources, such as e-Learning modules on strategy skills or awareness raising modules on neurodiversity, which can be accessed on the go and on most devices. The future of a work-life blend looks bright and having the adjustments and support in place can ensure that this is a smooth transition for neurodivergent individuals.

Lexxic are leaders in empowering neurodiversity in the workplace.  A specialist psychological consultancy, they believe all minds belong, so it is their mission to inspire a working world that supports and values the talents of neurodiverse minds, empowering individuals to be their best selves at work.  

Festival of Workplace Inclusion 2023

A Guide: Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Reading & Writing Tools for the Workplace

In this guest blog, Lexxic explore blended working, and discover what employers can do to ensure neurodiverse individuals achieve a work-life blend.

How to make sure the future of blended working is bright for neurodiverse employees

How to make sure the future of blended working is bright for neurodivergent employees

The Covid-19 pandemic has shifted everyone’s focus on what the future of the workplace will look like. With social distancing measures in place, and restrictions on the number of people allowed in areas at one time, the future of modern workplaces could be a focus on blended working.

We’re sure you’ll agree that every person in this world deserves the opportunity to thrive. But the workplace environment can sometimes create barriers for neurodivergent individuals.

Only 1 in 10 employers consider neurodiversity in their people management practices. That means that the majority of organizations do not have policies  that explicitly support neurodivergent employees, including those with autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD. Not only can this impact employee retention, but it can also limit your candidate pool - and that means missing out on a wealth of talent!

Given that 10% of the population is neurodivergent, we are working with Lexxic to help organizations make small changes that can lead to major impacts.. People with neurodivergent conditions can experience challenges throughout their working day, but these can often be overcome with simple, yet effective adjustments. 

In today’s current climate, it’s especially important for organizations to be aware and ready to provide support. Overnight, organizations made the move to remote working. As we look to the future, many are now exploring the benefits of blended working. But, with significant change comes an array of unknown challenges for our neurodivergent community. Organizations need to be equipped to tackle the challenges and embrace the opportunities that these new ways of working are bringing to light. 

Together with Lexxic, we’ve created a series of short videos to help organizations better understand neurodivergent conditions. Throughout the series, we will provide organizations with the information they need to support their neurodivergent employees, no matter what their working environment or office situation may be. 

Join us and uncover the challenges neurodivergent employees might encounter on a day-to-day basis. Learn about the thoughtful ways you can adjust your working environment to remove the barriers to success. Hear first-hand from a neurodivergent employee about the solutions that have helped them feel understood at work. Discover how you can build a workplace culture that ensures every employee feels welcomed, valued, and celebrated.

Register and receive our free video series today.

We’re pleased to announce our recent partnership with Lexxic, an occupational psychology consultancy that specialises in neurodiversity in the workplace. Together, we’re on a mission to help organisations empower neurodiverse employees and make the workplace more inclusive for everyone!

Helping you support neurodiversity and inclusion at work

We’ve partnered with Lexxic to help you support neurodiversity and inclusion at work

Together with Lexxic, we’re on a mission to help organisations empower neurodiverse employees and make the workplace more inclusive for everyone!

We’re pleased to announce our recent partnership with Lexxic, an occupational psychology consultancy that specializes in neurodiversity in the workplace. Together, we’re on a mission to help organizations empower neurodivergent employees and make the workplace more inclusive for everyone!

Blog

The role of technology in an evolving workspace

Even more ways & places for digital math for Windows and O365 users

8 EquatIO Activities to Celebrate Halloween in your Math Class

10 ways neurodivergent thinking can help us adapt to an unusual world

How to make sure the future of blended working is bright for neurodivergent employees

We’ve partnered with Lexxic to help you support neurodiversity and inclusion at work

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