assistive technology - tapping the potential
DESCRIPTION
A presentation from Alistair McNaught of Techdis, comparing the benefits and barriers created by m-Learning with the benefits and barriers inherent in a traditional learning experience it is possible to evaluate the best approach for a particular group of learners. To be presented at the RSC SE e-learning Fair 2007 at Southampton Solent University on October 26th 2007TRANSCRIPT
Unlocking Potential
Tapping the potential
making e-learning work twice.
Unlocking Potential
What’s in a name?
• E-learning• IT• Inclusion• Accessibility• Disability
Activity – identify
the accessibility benefits in….
Unlocking Potential
TechDis research - 1
• 7 major disability advice organisations.• What do you wish they said?
• 10% sample of English FE websites.• What do they say?
Unlocking Potential
TechDis research - 2
7 major disability advice organisations.
Staff Training and Awareness
Actively Involving Learners
Effective Transition Planning
Effective Use of Technology
Alternative Formats
IT / eLearning implications?
Accessible resources.
Resources / activities.
Assessment of need.
IT / VLE / Assistive technology.
Curriculum and staff development.
Unlocking Potential
Mention of technology
Useful
Vague
Not mentioned
Mention of resources
Generic
Specific ALS
Vague
None
50% learning materials on VLE. More accessible learning materials
Teaching and learning, inclusive learning award
Redesigning of learning materials where necessary
Supporting inclusion in the classroom training sessions.
AT loans, AT assessment, IT infrastructure, AT training
TechDis research - 3
Unlocking Potential
Key opportunities
• Alternative formats derive from accessibility good practice.• Eg. Structured Word document
• Document map• MindMap• MP3 • DAISY
• Varied learning experiences optimise confidence and competence.
• Software tools can support all learners.
Unlocking Potential
Key opportunities 1/3
• Alternative formats derive from accessibility good practice.
Example document.
Unlocking Potential
Key opportunities 2/3
• Varied learning experiences optimise confidence and competence.
Example resources –
Camstudio (1, 2, 3); Wink; Audacity.File sizes (Mb) 0.3 20 8 0.4 0.4
Unlocking Potential
Key opportunities 3/3
• Software tools can support all learners.
Example software:
DSpeech; LetMeType; WordWeb5.
Unlocking Potential
Simple example of added value.
TechDis research for Senior Manager Briefings:
Less than 60% surveyed had a DES online.
Two thirds of the statements were in PDF format with most of the remainder in Microsoft® Word.
% PDFs with bookmark navigation – 0
% DESs with advice on accessibility - 0
Unlocking Potential
Key conclusions
• The things that make a difference to disabled learners are
Staff Training and AwarenessActively Involving LearnersEffective Transition PlanningEffective Use of TechnologyAlternative Formats
• These all have strong correlations to effective and well planned e-learning infrastructures.
• The key costs are not purchases but training for staff and learners.
• TechDis has a wide range of supporting resources for staff development and strategic planning.
Unlocking Potential
Key references
TechDis Senior Manager Briefings www.techdis.ac.uk/getbriefings
TechDis Accessibility Essentials series
www.techdis.ac.uk/accessibilityessentials
TechDis Staff Packs
www.techdis.ac.uk/staffpacks