From barriers to bridges: approaching accessibility in course design

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangeline Marlos Varonis
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Course Content ◽  
The Usa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how the principles of universal design can be implemented by faculty and course designers to help give all learners access to equivalent information. It describes how information communication technologies can create barriers to information access, particularly when course content is rich in multimedia, but also how such technologies can be utilized to creates bridges to accessible content through designing for accessibility from the outset. Design/methodology/approach – This paper offers a brief review of current international guidelines and US legislation related to information communication technologies in higher education. It documents the challenge of meeting these best practices and legal mandates, as evidenced by recent legal cases in the USA resulting from inaccessible course content in higher education. Finally, it describes how universal design can enhance accessibility for individuals with visual, hearing, motor, and cognitive impairments and provides concrete suggestions for making content more accessible to all learners, not just those with disabilities. Findings – Given the challenges of creating accessible content that provides equivalent information to all learners, faculty and course designers can implement the principles of Universal Design to enhance the learning environment for all students and ensure they are in compliance with guidelines and regulations. Such compliance is facilitated by emerging standards for accessible content and emerging technologies for making content accessible to all without the need for special accommodations. Originality/value – This paper focusses on concrete approaches to achieving accessibility in higher education, a matter of increasing concern for moral reasons (it is the right thing to do) and for legal reasons given recent lawsuits.

scholarly journals Validating the technology-assisted supplemental work scale (TASW)

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 475-481
Author(s):  
Kajal Kotecha ◽  
Wilfred Isioma Ukpere ◽  
Madelyn Geldenhuys
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
The Impact

The traditional advantage of using Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to enhance work flexibility also has a drawback of enabling academics to continue working even after regular working hours. This phenomenon has been referred to as technology-assisted supplemental work (TASW). Although TASW enhances academics’ work productively, they also have a negative impact on their family-life. The impact TASW has on academics and on higher education institutions can be understood by measuring the phenomenon properly by using a reliable and valid scale. The aim of this study is too validate a newly developed TASW scale by Fenner and Renn (2010). This study adopted a quantitative research approach and used an online survey to gather data. The sample included academic from a higher education in South Africa (n = 216). The results indicate that the TASW is a valid and reliable measure of technology among the sample of South African academics.

ICTs in Chinese Distance Higher Education

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaobin Li
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Chinese Higher Education ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
The World ◽  
Higher Education In China ◽  
Education In China

The Chinese higher education system is the largest in the world, but distance education, using information communication technologies (ICTs), started later than in developed countries. In this paper, the author examines the benefits of education to human development and provides an overview of the recent development of distance higher education in China. The potential for further developing distance higher education with ICTs is considered. In addition, challenges are discussed and recommendations are made to improve Chinese distance higher education.

scholarly journals Digital Competencies and Professional attitudes as Predictors of Universities academics' Digital Technologies Usage: Example of Al-Hussein Bin Talal

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Jwaifell ◽  
Osama M Kraishan ◽  
Dima Waswas ◽  
Raed O Salah
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Professional Attitudes ◽  
Digital Competencies ◽  
Technology Tool ◽  
Electronic Technologies

Information Communication Technologies (ICT) has experienced remarkable development and changes provoked by the spread of digitization and the rise of electronic technologies. Those changes made it urgent to understand academics' perceptions and professional usage of those technologies in higher education. To understand the academics' perception of digital technologies in higher education we have conducted this study in Al-Hussein Bin Talal University (AHU) as an example of academics' digital competencies, professional attitudes, and professional application of digital tools, and possibility of predicting the degree of application of digital tools through the degree of academics' competencies and professional attitudes . This study carried out in Ma'an, a poor-environment area of Southern Governorate in Jordan, with 107 academics who work in AHU as an instructors, has one aim which is to explore how they perceive new digital technologies. Most important result of the study showed that academics competence, attitudes, and digital technologies tools usage are in average level. Moreover the study showed that digital technology tool usage's degree can be predicted through the degrees of the academics' competence and attitudes.. Recommendations were included in this study. 

A Synopsis of Information Communication Technologies Applications in Agro-Based Livelihoods in Nigeria

2013 ◽  
pp. 195-204
Author(s):  
O. I. Oladele
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Access Point ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Community Information

This chapter examines the applications of information communication technologies in agro-based livelihoods in Nigeria. A multipurpose community information access point was established at a pilot level in Ago-Are, Oyo State, Nigeria. The center equipped with basic ICT infrastructures including Internet connectivity made available through a VSAT, provided timely solutions to the basic problems of farmers’ lack of information on agriculture, lack of access to inputs and output markets, and lack of access to some basic but relatively expensive equipment. The services include the Answering Farmer’s Needs-a private-public collaborative project involving several organizations. There is also the Fantsuam Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that works with farmers in rural communities in Northern Nigeria with an on-going micro-credit project aimed at alleviating poverty among rural women. This chapter highlights the synergistic use and challenges for each of these projects and proffers suggestions for the adoption and adaptation in different parts of the world.

scholarly journals A heutagogical approach for the assessment of Internet Communication Technology (ICT) assignments in higher education

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lynch ◽  
Todd Sage ◽  
Laurel Iverson Hitchcock ◽  
Melanie Sage
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Internet Communication ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Technology In Instruction

AbstractPedagogical foundations exist for incorporating technology in instruction; however, these foundations have not kept pace with technology's evolution. Through the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), students now can share content directed at external audiences, i.e., audiences other than the instructor. These audiences are referred to as authentic audiences as they are public-facing and exist outside of the classroom. The existing literature offers evidence of student satisfaction with assignments directed at appealing to external audiences, however, the literature provides no comprehensive pedagogical rationale for assignments directed at authentic audiences wherein the goals are self-determined. The authors discuss the theory of heutagogy, the study of self-determined learning, as an approach for assessing assignments that utilize ICTs and are directed at authentic audiences. Finally, the authors offer an approach for the assessment of these assignments, including a rubric.

Pushed to the abyss of exclusion: ICT and social exclusion in developing countries

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 119-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard I.C. Tambulasi
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Socially Excluded

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the extent to which information communication technologies (ICTs) have worked as instruments of perpetuating social exclusion in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses theoretical and conceptual analysis method based on an extensive survey of literature. It greatly draws from the theoretical and empirical insights of social policy sub disciplines of social inclusion/exclusion and social aspects of ICTs.FindingsThe paper finds that ICTs in developing countries work to further social marginalization and exclusion. The argument is that developing countries already experience high levels of social exclusion and as a result, ICTs deepen this exclusion.Originality/valueTheoretically, the paper contributes to the development of literature on the impacts of ICTs in developing countries which are in most cases only assumed. The paper is also pivotal for policy analysis purposes as it informs policy makers on appropriate interventions that can ensure sustainable integration of the socially excluded groups in developing countries. In addition, this paper creates a research sub area for further empirical analysis.

scholarly journals Implementation of Modern Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in Higher Education Sector: International Experience and The Example of Uzbekistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 386-392
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
International Experience ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Full Benefit ◽  
Higher Institutions

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the powerful tool for the successful delivery of quality education in higher institutions. A range of countries understanding the full benefit of it have already implemented and developing the usage of ICT in higher education sector, though in Uzbekistan still can be faced some challenges on this regard. The purpose of this study is therefore to contribute to the growing evidence on the use and acceptance of ICT by higher institutions of learning in Uzbekistan. The paper critically analyzes the current students’ and teachers’ perceptions on ICT usage, involving 23 higher educational institutions in Uzbekistan and provides some recommendations on improvement through studying international experience.

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