Presentation f

1. The University in your pocket: opening access to learning and support
Julie Usher
The University of Northampton
ATinHE meeting, June 2012

2. Drivers
Why mobile?
– Strategic planning and pedagogy
– Marketing
– Demand

3. Anticipated challenges to openness
Why not?
“not everyone has a
smartphone”
“not everyone can ‘do’
mobile learning”

4. Challenges or opportunities?
1. Inclusion
– Platforms
– Device provision
– Wireless campus
– Mi-fi units

5. Challenges or opportunities?
2. Accessibility
– Choice
– Personalisation
– Control
3. Usability and skills gaps
– Training and support

6. What are the needs?
Different audiences (students, staff, prospects)
What’s possible?

7. The challenges
• Third party (US) developers with different priorities
• Usability testing requires users!

8. 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/

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

10. 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