The University in your pocket: opening access to learning and support

Julie Usher The University of Northampton

ATinHE meeting, June 2012

Drivers

Why mobile? – Strategic planning and pedagogy – Marketing – Demand

Anticipated challenges to openness

Why not?

“not everyone has a smartphone” “not everyone can ‘do’ mobile learning”

Challenges or opportunities?

1. Inclusion – Platforms – Device provision – Wireless campus – Mi-fi units

Challenges or opportunities?

2. Accessibility – Choice – Personalisation – Control

3. Usability and skills gaps

– Training and support

What are the needs?

Different audiences (students, staff, prospects) What’s possible?

The challenges

• Third party (US) developers with different priorities • Usability testing requires users!

The future?

Apple leading development for accessibility:

• high contrast / zoom / white on black • guided access • VoiceOver • Siri / Eyes Free

• http://mashable.com/follow/videos/1684486565001-ios-accessibility-and-education/

Questions?

Contact details: Julie Usher @jules_u julie.usher@northampton.ac.uk

References etc.

Useful links •More about the iNorthampton project: http://www.northampton.ac.uk/mobile •More about inclusion and accessibility at Northampton: http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2012/01/09/inorthampton-opening-access-to-learning-and-support/ •More about the accessibility of Blackboard products: http://www.blackboard.com/accessibility •Traxler, J. (2010) “Students and mobile devices.” ALT-J Research in Learning Technology [online] 18.2, p149-160. Available from: http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=0968%2d7769&volume=18&issue=2&spage=149 [Accessed 3rd January 2012] Image credits •Photography by Rob Farmer, University of Northampton •3d characters from http://www.canstockphoto.com/3pod