The Technology Landscape in 2012 and Beyond

Abi James

Technology Expectations Vs. Technology

Enhancements

What makes up the technology landscape for DSA students?

Technology expectations are led by technology already in use at..

School Homes College

Computing developments since 2006 in homes & schools

At the end of 2012, students may be using 5 different “operating

systems” compared to 2 in 2008.

The Here and Now… 2012 The Informal Learning Revolution promised

by learning platforms & m-learning is being achieved through social networking, cloud-based tools & mobile apps

Rise of the Social Reading concept

The Here and Now… 2012 Universities are moving on to the cloud

25,000 students and staff at the University of Westminster now use Google Apps Education Edition

Mobile apps are being used in learning & to support students

App-ification — From Applications to Apps

What are we doing to ensure….

That we support the learners usual way of working?That mobile & cloud solutions are accessible?

Trends in Technology beyond 2012:

Trends in Technology beyond 2012: New means of controlling tech

Gesture based interface can inhibit or enable accesse.g. using web-cams, Kinect devices to recognise sign languages

Speech control becoming prevalent

Trends in Technology beyond 2012: Digital identity for all

being able to transfer accessibility requirements between web-enabled devices

Cloud4All, GPII

Trends in Technology beyond 2012: Internet of things

Not just text, now multimedia, QR codes, virtual reality

Trends in Technology beyond 2012: Mobile Devices Accessibility on mobile devices will only

improve Demand led Legislation (508 review in US)

Expectation that mobile devices will be used in learning BYOD – bring your own – Android still the most

popular SmartPhone in UK

Tablets as an assistive technology - New story or old?

Is a Tablet a replacement for a desktop computer?

Yes and no

Assistive Technology migrating to tablets e.g. CapturaTalk4Android

The App-ification of software Average shelf-life of an iPhone app is 90

days (2009) OS updates on mobile devices (and Mac)

are frequent How can we support apps (including Mac

app store purchase) over the length of a degree course?

Migration to web apps Now seeing a movement to develop HTML5

web apps. Platform independent & more opportunity

to be accessible. A.T. is already moving this way… Texthelp

Web apps

eBooks – accessible tool or hurdle?

Expectation of eBooks use now in education ePub3 will offer greater accessibility functions

as it takes DAISY functionality mainstream But publishers still rule on DRM & TTS

availability Dedicated eBook devices are optimised for

ebook stores not the user

What is ePub3? New international standard for eBooks Incorporates DAISY accessible book format

& MathML Can provide accessible books with

synchronised audio, embedded multimedia & accessible maths formula

Windows 8 expected late 2012

Windows 7 but with a tablet interface For desktop users, maybe no change? Still not known what the full impact of

accessibility will be but VI support for touch interface will be built-in.

Windows store will mark apps as accessible

Windows 8

Windows 8

Windows 8

Cloud solutions providing better accessibility?

Content and learning when you want it, where you want it

But accessible? Accessible web developments such as the

MyDocStore project bring cloud / eBook content to all

Cloud Solutions: The MyDocStore Project:

Using the Cloud & mobile devices to produce alternative formats

Access & awareness of alternative formats needs to be at the consumer level;

Ease of use of technology vital to engagement and up take;

MyDocStore is: Azzapt a web service & an App for that! Cool Mainstream; Learner (consumer) led

MyDocStore Project feedback so far:

Some students who will want it in a large font, some

students may want it in audio... just uploading one document and everyone

else can access it will make life so much easier

Existing technologies anchor the user to one computer…

one PC in the corner and you go to the special

machine. By its existence, it differentiates the students

from the others

This system will mean I am always

independent

This opens up a whole world to

me if I can download books.

The iPhone app will be so useful

when I am travelling

Register your interest & find out more:

www.mydocstore.org.uk/contact-us info@iansyst.co.uk

Abi James abi@iansyst.co.uk