Assess2012 - Technology Trends update Abi James - Iansyst Ltd

1. The Technology Landscape in
2012 and Beyond
Abi James

2. What makes up the technology
landscape for DSA students?
Technology Technology
Vs.
Expectations Enhancements

3. Technology expectations are led
by technology already in use at..
 School
 Homes
 College

5. Computing developments since
2006 in homes & schools

6. At the end of 2012, students may
be using 5 different “operating
systems” compared to 2 in 2008.

7. 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

8. 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

9. What are we doing to ensure….
That we support the learners usual
way of working?
That mobile & cloud solutions are
accessible?

10. Trends in Technology beyond 2012:

11. Trends in Technology beyond 2012:
New means of controlling tech
 Gesture based interface can inhibit or
enable access
e.g. using web-cams, Kinect devices to recognise
sign languages
 Speech control becoming prevalent

12. Trends in Technology beyond 2012:
Digital identity for all
 being able to transfer accessibility
requirements between web-enabled
devices
 Cloud4All, GPII

13. Trends in Technology beyond
2012: Internet of things
Not just text, now multimedia, QR codes,
virtual reality

14. 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

15. Tablets as an assistive technology
- New story or old?

18. Is a Tablet a replacement for a
desktop computer?
Yes and no

19. Assistive Technology migrating to
tablets e.g. CapturaTalk4Android

20. 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?

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. Windows 8

26. Windows 8

27. Windows 8

28. 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

29. 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

30. MyDocStore Project feedback so
far:
This opens up a The iPhone app
This system will will be so useful
whole world to
mean I am always when I am
me if I can
independent travelling
download books.
Existing technologies anchor Some students who will
the user to one computer… want it in a large font, some
one PC in the corner and students may want it in
you go to the special audio... just uploading one
machine. By its existence, it document and everyone
differentiates the students else can access it will make
from the others life so much easier

31. Paul loads Tudors101.pdf to Azzapt
On my desktop On my Tablet I On my phone I
I want to edit it want to read it want to hear it
Azzapt creates MyDocStore
Word doc creates MP3
Azzapt creates
applies colour using Paul’s
ePub file
and font speed and
changes voice choice
Paul accesses Tudors101.pdf in Azzapt web / app
Word docx with MP3 audio
ePub version
font/colours set downloads &
opens
opens plays

32. Register your interest & find
out more:
www.mydocstore.org.uk/contact-us
info@iansyst.co.uk
Abi James abi@iansyst.co.uk