Accessible Learning: Virtual Barriers, Second Life, and Beyond

Presented May 22, 2008 at the 2008 Kentucky Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: Challenging Students to Think Critically and Learn Deeply

By Andrew Wright and Marilyn Greenwell

Abstract: This session will explore emerging instructional technologies such as virtual environments (Second Life), lecture capture systems (Tegrity, Camtasia, Breeze), and other tools and the barriers that they may present to learners with different abilities. Faculty, content creators, and supporting staff will examine the balance between the use of these new multimedia tools and the needs of students with visual or hearing impairments. The session will focus on developing best practices for utilizing these cutting-edge tools through awareness-raising activities, demonstrations, and discussion. Participants will acquire a greater understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities of educators in this new (virtual) world.

Presentation File

PowerPoint 2007 File - Last updated May 22, 2008

I was able to reproduce most everything online except the lecture capture example using Tegrity. Unfortunately, access to that system requires a valid account.

All the reference links at the end of the presentation are live as of May 22, 2008. If anyone has additional suggestions, please feel free to e-mail them to me and I'll add them here.