Floe is a project of the Inclusive Design Research Centre at OCAD University, funded by a grant from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Floe is creating tools and techniques for enabling inclusive, flexible learning for open education.

1. Flexible Learning for Open Education
Jutta Treviranus / Director / Inclusive Design Research Centre / OCAD University / Toronto
Hewlett Grantees Meeting / March 29-31, 2011
http://floeproject.org
A project funded by
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

2. Problem: Learners learn differently...

3. But Learning Materials Don’t
Adapt to Learner Needs
• currently most OERs (and their delivery
platforms) are not designed to be accessible
• currently most OER content producers don’t
have techniques for producing accessible,
inclusive content
• materials that provide a one-size-fits-all
solution leave many learners behind

4. A New Definition of Disability
Mismatch between the needs and preferences
of the user and the system or environment

5. Individual Needs & Preferences Matter
reasons for mismatch
• sensory, motor, cognitive, emotional and social
constraints
• individual learning styles and approaches
• linguistic or cultural preferences
• technical, financial or environmental constraints

6. We All Experience Mismatch
• Cultural (don’t speak the language)
• Contextual (hard to concentrate in noisy class)
• Environmental (hard to learn without materials)
• Temporary (an iPod and no earbuds)
• Persistent (vision impairment)

7. We All Experience Mismatch
• Some examples of sensory contexts and states:
• Can see well. Susan wears corrective lenses so she
can see near 20/20
• Can’t see at all. Casey is blind; Haylee doesn’t have
power at home
• Can’t see colors well. Gilbert is wearing sunglasses;
Jami is color blind
• Can’t hear well. Galen is studying at a loud coffee
shop; Marty has a hearing impairment

8. A New Definition of Accessibility
Ability of the system or environment to
accommodate the needs and preferences of
each individual user

9. Solution: One-Size-Fits-One
Flexible Learning for Open Education
• User experiences that adjust to specific
needs, preferences, contexts, environment,
and culture
• Transform content to accommodate needs
and preferences
• UI: layout, color, size, contrast, complexity
• Device: mobile, tablet, desktop Web
• Alternatives: audio, video, images,
transcript

10. One-Size-Fits-One
Making Learning Tools Inclusive
Teach Transform Derive
for content creators, consumers, and platforms

11. One Size Fits One
Making Learning Tools Inclusive
Teach Transform Derive
Text, audio,
Crowd-
Mobile, video,
sourcing
Easier-to-read captions,
alternatives
+ transcripts
Inclusive Learning Accessibility
Handbook Checking Tool
AccessForAll Individual User
Metadata Profiles Preference
Matching

12. Teach
techniques for making content inclusive

13. Simplification/reduction
Teach
content alternatives, transformations, and customizations
[Skimming/skipping]
Font style Notation narration
Smartphone 'net browser
Mobile
Larger text Structured text content
SMS
Black-and-white
Word spacing
Text White-on-black
Telephone audio
Slower/faster motion/an
Text spacing
Character spacing Higher contrast
Phone service
Interaction Switch frien
Automated telephone system
Line spacing Larger (input) targets
Table of contents Yellow-on-black
Keyboard
Simplified/single column Layout Self-voicing Underlined/highlig
Single/multiple pages
OER content
Language
Closed caption audio
ePub
Regionality
me adjustment Audio Export Slowdown
Closed captioned video
Audio transcript Description
bient noise filtering
Print PDF
Transcript Image Size
Video Structured transcript
Structured transcript
Audio descriptions
Contrast Size
Transcript Video transcript
Slowdown Interactive transcript
[Skimming/skipping]
[Skimming/skipping]
Interactive transcript
Contrast

14. Transform
customize text & layout

16. Derive
embed tools for contributing and choosing derivatives

17. Derive
supporting global infrastructure
http://gpii.org/

18. Flexible Learning for Open Education
partnerships
OER COMMONS
IPTI - Instituto de Pesquisas em Tecnologia e Inovação
OpenCourseWare Consortium
Connexions
Monterey Institute
Mozilla Drumbeat

19. Photo Credits
From “Learners learn differently slide,” starting in top left, then clockwise:
Desk with learning materials. http://www.flickr.com/photos/tulanesally/5105980284/
Learner with books. http://www.flickr.com/photos/carmichaellibrary/1259989935/
Learner with laptop. http://www.flickr.com/photos/25373834@N08/2475580517/
Learner with camera and mic. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/2263921484/
Learner with equipment. http://www.flickr.com/photos/brookhavenlab/4996720880/
Learning scene in coffee shop. http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderlane/37531816/

20. Contact
Jutta Treviranus, Principal Investigator / Director and
Professor / Inclusive Design Research Centre / OCAD University
Jess Mitchell, Senior Manager / Research and Development
Colin Clark, Lead Software Architect