Accessible Mobile Learning

Deborah HilliardQTVI

Newham Sixth Form College

Introductions

• Deborah • Uzma• Liam

Context

• East London Sixth Form College• 2,700 students on wide range of courses • VI students with a range of needs

Previous provision• Laptops with specialist

magnification and screenreading software

• CCTV• Large print• Braille• Tactile diagrams• Adapted equipment

Advantages

• Independence• Adaptability to student need• Access to curriculum

Disadvantages

• Emphasised student difference• Heavy/cumbersome equipment• Slow start up times• Long delays before access software is updated

following mainstream software updates

Time for a change

What was considered:• Ultrabooks• Convertibles• Tablets

Why iPads?• Access software built into iOS• Adaptable to student need – thousands of

apps• Ready for use instantly• Easily portable• Can be paired with keyboard or braille input• Mainstream device• Move to develop mobile learning in college

Implementation

• Support from management/mobile learning project

• User guides – VoiceOver, Zoom, keyboard shortcuts

• Staff training• Student training

One year on …

• iPads in use by students with visual impairments or dyslexia

• Use in class• Use in exams

Student view - Uzma

Student view - Liam

Benefits to Teaching and Learning

• Independent student access to teaching resources, internet and e-mail

• Work can be e-mailed to student directly, cutting down on preparation time

• Students receive resources at the same time as everyone else

• Teachers can see the work in class and provide appropriate feedback

• Increased student independence and confidence

• iPad can be configured to suit individual user

What next?

• Impact: using iPads with a wider range of students – dyslexic, ESOL, literacy …

• More teachers using iPads for admin, use of electronic resources etc, able to work more efficiently …