Download Using Distance Education to Enhance the Reach of

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USING DISTANCE
EDUCATION TO
ENHANCE THE
REACH OF
DISABILITY STUDIES
CURRICULUM
Megan A. Conway, Ph.D. & Thomas H. Conway, M.B.A.
Center on Disability Studies, University of Hawaii at Manoa
About the Speakers
Megan A. Conway, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of
Disability Studies,
University of Hawaii
Editor, Review of Disability
Studies
Thomas H. Conway,
M.B.A.
Media Coordinator, Center
on Disability Studies,
University of Hawaii
Doctoral Student,
Educational Technology
[email protected]
[email protected]
Overview of Presentation
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Foundation for Distance Education
Application of Universal Design
Web Accessibility
Emerging Technologies
Further Resources
Foundation
Promise of Distance Education for Disability Studies
and Awareness
Bridge barriers of distance, cost, environmental access.
Bring together teachers and learners from diverse
perspectives and cultures.
Foundation of Distance Education
Distance Education Defined
Definition of distance education
A formal learning activity which occurs
when students and instructor are separated
by geographic distance or by time, often
supported by communications technology.
Types of distance education
Synchronous, Asynchronous, Hybrid
Application of Universal Design
Universal Design Defined
Universal Design is the design of products and
environments to be usable by everyone, to the
greatest extent possible, without the need for
adaptation or specialized design.” Ron Mace
[
Universal Design for Learning] UDL provides a blueprint
for creating flexible goals, methods, materials, and
assessments that accommodate learner differences. CAST
Application
Principles of Universal Design for Learning
1.
Multiple Means of Representation
2.
Multiple Means of Expression
3.
Multiple Means of Engagement
Application
Examples of UDL Applications in the Online Disability
Studies Classroom
Maximizing Representation, Expression and
Engagement
Synchronous Web Conferencing Platforms
Captioning, audio description, use of
multi media, participant involvement
Asynchronous Learning Management Systems
Interactive syllabus, collaborative discussion,
calendars, media formats, communication,
weekly assignments
What is Web Accessibility?
Accessibility
Benefits people with disabilities — including
auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical,
speech, and visual impairments.
Benefits older people, English as a Second
Language (ESL) learners, temporarily disabled
people, and other diverse populations.
Web Accessibility
W3C
World Wide Web Consortium
Founded by Tim Berners-Lee
W3C Director and inventor of the
World Wide Web.


“The power of the
Web is in its
universality. Access by
everyone regardless
of disability is an
essential aspect.”
Goal of providing web access to everyone through
Internationally recognized standards.
Web Accessibility
Output Device Independence
1.
Screen reader useable (voice only transmission)
2.
Logical navigation through webpage and website
(mouse free)
3.
Easy to read with minimal distractions
4.
Use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for
separating content and design elements
Accessibility and Distance Education
Alternative Formats
1.
Screen readable formatted documents (PDF)
2.
Logical navigation of materials
3.
Tagged or labeled photos and graphics
4.
Captioned videos and multi-media presentations
Emerging Technologies
Web 2.0 Social Media (Interactive)
Mobile
Devices
Thousands of new programs available for
collaboration and presentations
VoiceThread - Gallaudet University,
Accessible Twitter
Multi-User Virtual Environment (MUVE)
Second Life, Blue Mars, Gaia,
Webkinz
Emerging Collaboration Technology
VoiceThread – Presentation program with interactive feedback
via the web or phone
“VoiceThread is an application designed for people to have discussions about shared
digital media. Each VoiceThread discussion consists of slides - just like a presentation and each slide contains a piece of digital media.”
VoiceThread Universal – Accessible version interface specially
designed for screen-reading software
“What we've found is that accessibility is often "bolted on" as an afterthought,
when it should be designed with as much care as the typical-user experience.
With this in mind…We decided to create VoiceThread Universal.”
Emerging Communication Technology
Web accessibility for Twitter
Accessible Twitter is an
alternative to the
Twitter.com website. It is
designed to be easier to
use and is optimized for
disabled users.
Emerging MUVE Technology
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Webkinz
Gaia
Second Life
Blue Mars
Virtual Ability
Additional Resources
Students with Disabilities as Diverse Learners
www.ist.hawaii.edu
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative www.w3c.org/wai
Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)
www.cast.org
WebAIM http://www.webaim.com
Virtual Ability www.virtualability.org