Discussion #2: Accessibility to Educatio…
Discussion #2: Accessibility to Education
For some, the iPad might be a luxury tool, but for others, it could be essential.
I was watching a documentary about Steve Jobs the other day, and saw how iPad apps have helped learners with autism.
The mom almost broke into tears of joy as she explained how the iPad has provided a channel for her son to express himself. He would answer questions by touching the screen on his own. This small gesture provides a window to the child’s thinking, which was a very difficult task before he used the iPad.
There are many other apps that can be beneficial to users with different needs. For instance, Proloquo2Go provides natural sounding text-to-speech voices, which allows iPad to literally “give a voice” to learners who lack verbal skills. Dragon diction turns spoken words into text that can be sent through to social media or email, which helps users with limited physical motor skills.
There are tools that provide the same function before the invention of iPad. However, these tools are usually less portable, and not the coolest device to use when the student is working in the class. They are also more expensive and usually only serve one function.
The interactivity and portability of an iPad definitely give it its niche in the market. It is amazing how such a small device can empower students who could be the most vulnerable.
I don’t believe that iPad is the best tablet, but currently it has the greatest number of apps and attention, which makes it easier to be tailored to its users’ needs.
Relevant links:
This is a group assignment for a course I took about assistive technologies in the summer:
http://epse410iheartreading.wikispaces.com/
Accessibility sensitive features on iPhone:
http://help.apple.com/iphone/5/voiceover/en/iph3e2e2c13.html
Accessibility sensitive features on iPad (includes vision, hearing, and physical and motor skills):
http://www.apple.com/accessibility/ipad/vision.html
Posted in: Week 09: iPad Apps
Everton Walker 2:22 am on November 3, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Carmen,
Great to hear about the success stories. You mentioned portability which is key to new technologies. Manufacturers are realizing that people are always on the go and need to do important things while doing so. I recently gave up my stationary modem for a portable one and it makes life so much easier. I think price is a major factor too and even durability and children using it as a tool. I think some special ones should be made for education purposes.
Everton
Angela Novoa 11:48 am on November 3, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Carmen and Everton,
thanks for sharing your thoughts and providing different ways in which iPads can be useful. Portability indeed is one of its major benefits. I think that new technologies are advancing so fast that maybe the new versions of iPads (or other tablets) will be everyday smaller until they become the same as the current smart phones, but with better capabilities. Thoughts?
Angela.
Kristopher 12:37 pm on November 3, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi all,
Carmen, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the potential for this market. It’s always easiest to think how we could use the technology ourselves (often an enhancer of our lives), but then to consider the same technology as a tool (such as a voice) for someone is a completely different way to conceptualize it.
Angela, I think that Apple did just that with the iPhone (a super powerful handheld machine), but eventually realized that our bodies (eye sight and input devices i.e. fingers) couldn’t use that much smaller a device and still be effective. I think that the machines won’t get smaller, but they will become increasingly power until just about the point of bursting legs:)
Kristopher
Angela Novoa 6:58 am on November 4, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Kristopher,
If it will be as you think, I will be really happy. I think that it is because my small mobile device that now I have to use glasses 🙂
Angela.
carmen 12:52 pm on November 3, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Everton, Angela and Kristopher,
Thanks for your comments. I’m sure Apple and other tablets will improve in portability in the future. I agree with Kristopher that it probably shouldn’t get any smaller… but it’d be nice if we can roll up our screen and bring it everywhere we go…! It’s going to be a wise magic scroll that we can have conversation with! (Sorry, imagination running wild here.)
I do feel that the device will continue to improve. With more advanced tools, we will continue to think of new ways of solving problems to fill a need. However, sometimes I feel that I tend to “take things as it is” and miss the “pain point” which could be turned into a market niche. Maybe it takes practice. 🙂
carmen