Inclusive Learning and Google Apps - presentation by Shirley Evans of JISC TechDis at GEUG12, the Google Apps for Education European User Group.
There has been a lot of interest recently about Google apps and accessibility issues and Google are moving forward with improvements. What is also of interest is the extent to which the use of Google apps can promote inclusive and personalised learning.
3. JISC TechDis
• JISC Techdis is the leading UK advisory service on
accessibility and inclusion.
• JISC Techdis provides expert advice, guidance and
support for policy makers, senior management, front
line and specialist staff;
4. Facts and figures
• There are around 11 million disabled people in
the UK.1
• There are nearly 200,000 students in HE who
have declared a disability. 2
• There are over 750,000 learners in FE and HE
who have declared a learning difficulty, disability
or health problem.3
5. Interested in Google
Apps
• OU courses using Google apps
• Accessibility raised at assistive
technology conference and via ATHENs
Group
• Realised being used widely in UK HE
6. Questions
• Examples of accessibility issues in UK HE – none – may be
because disability officers not speaking to computing services;
• Examples of inclusive learning practice
7. BIS Partnership
• Three projects for the
benefit of disabled
and disadvantaged
learners:
• TechDis Voices.
• TechDis Toolbox.
• Small Business
Research Initiative
(SBRI).
9. Small Business Research
Initiative – text projects
MyDocStore – Navitext - System Associates:
iansyst: improved navigation and
quick and easy accessibility to books and
transfer of files documents for people who are
between devices visually impaired, identifies key
whilst converting navigation points in a text and
them into the user’s provides easy ways of moving
preferred format. through it and finding what is
needed.
Due for completion in January 2013.
10. Challenges
•Integration – need to integrate with existing
technologies;
•Firm point of contact with clear and timely
messages about updates regarding accessibility –
important given frequent updates.
11. Resources
•
Google's Accessibility Resources for Google Apps, including tips for using Google Apps with a
technologies
•Google's VPAT's (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates)
•ATHEN Report on the Accessibility of Google Docs
•ATHEN Report on the Accessibility of GMail and Google Calendar
•Google Apps at NC State
•Accessible Google Group
12. Opportunities
Interested in finding examples/case studies where
Google products can promote inclusion:
Google Presentation and Inclusivity
Using Google's Online Apps to Enhance a Class and
Also interested to here about accessibility
problems – as a central point of reference
13. Contact
JISC Techdis
c/o The Higher Education Academy Building
Innovation Way
York Science Park
York YO10 5BR
Tel: 01904 717580.
Email: helpdesk@techdis.ac.uk.
Web: www.jisctechdis.ac.uk.
The Seventh International Blended Learning Conference "Reflecting on our achievements - What's next for technology-enhanced learning and teaching?" University of Hertfordshire, 2012
Dr Shirley Evans Special Projects Officer [email_address]
JISC Techdis is the leading UK advisory service on accessibility and inclusion. JISC Techdis is one of eight complementary, advisory services co-ordinated by JISC Advance, created to provide inspiration and advice to support the innovative use of technology within the education, business and community sectors. JISC Advance is a not-for-profit company financed by grants from the UK funding councils for further and higher education.
There are around 11 million disabled people in the UK.1 There are nearly 200,000 students in HE who have declared a disability. 2 There are over 750,000 learners in FE and HE who have declared a learning difficulty, disability or health problem.3
OU courses using Google apps Accessibility raised at assistive technology conference and via ATHENs Group Realised being used widely in UK HE
Examples of accessibility issues in UK HE – none – may be because disability officers not speaking to computing services; Examples of inclusive learning practice
Partnership with the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills Three projects for the benefit of disabled and disadvantaged learners: TechDis Voices. TechDis Toolbox. Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI).
Toolbox contains explanations and examples of current web technologies. It provides an overview of accessibility features in commonplace applications such as Microsoft Office and Google. It also suggests different tools for different needs, for instance, those with a visual impairment may find screen magnifiers or text-to-speech tools useful. Individuals with dyslexia or memory problems are advised to use task lists, calendars and reminders. The toolbox has a set of drawers to help users find the tool they need. There are five drawers in total and the first four correspond to skills that are valued by employers. The drawers are: · Technology. · Planning and organisation. · Communication. · Teamworking. · Different needs.
Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) – text projects MyDocStore – iansyst: quick and easy transfer of files between devices whilst converting them into the user’s preferred format. Navitext - System Associates: improved navigation and accessibility to books and documents for people who are visually impaired, identifies key navigation points in a text and provides easy ways of moving through it and finding what is needed. Due for completion in January 2013.
Integration – need to integrate with existing technologies; Firm point of contact with clear and timely messages about updates regarding accessibility – important given frequent updates.
• Google's Accessibility Resources for Google Apps, including tips for using Google Apps with assistive technologies • Google's VPAT's (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates) • ATHEN Report on the Accessibility of Google Docs • ATHEN Report on the Accessibility of GMail and Google Calendar Google Apps at NC State Accessible Google Group
• Google's Accessibility Resources for Google Apps, including tips for using Google Apps with assistive technologies • Google's VPAT's (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates) • ATHEN Report on the Accessibility of Google Docs • ATHEN Report on the Accessibility of GMail and Google Calendar Google Apps at NC State Accessible Google Group
Contact JISC Techdis c/o The Higher Education Academy Building Innovation Way York Science Park York YO10 5BR Tel: 01904 717580. Email: [email_address] Web: www.jisctechdis.ac.uk.
Contact JISC Techdis c/o The Higher Education Academy Building Innovation Way York Science Park York YO10 5BR Tel: 01904 717580. Email: [email_address] Web: www.jisctechdis.ac.uk.