Solved by a verified expert :Week 2 discussion
DQ1 Topic 3
Accessibility of Technology: In Their Shoes
In this discussion activity, you will attempt to use the
Internet via screen reader software and will compare/contrast this experience
with using the Internet visually in order to analyze the way that technology
has or has not lived up to the expectation of equalizing information-sharing.
*IMPORTANT NOTE: If
you are a student who has a visual disability and who already uses a screen
reader program, please consider completing this assignment using a screen
reader program that is different from yours and/or by visiting websites to
which you do not normally go.
Steps:
Review some of the leading screen-reader software available
to individuals who are blind or low-vision today:
http://www.afb.org/prodmain.asp
Select a free screen reader program for your phone, tablet,
or computer to use for this Activity:
http://www.screenreader.net/index.php?pageid=11
http://webanywhere.cs.washington.edu/wa.php
http://www.readspeaker.com/
Turning off your monitor, and using only the screen reader
program and your speakers, navigate to your top 5 favorite websites and attempt
to use each, noting your experience as you go.
Keep track of missed links, content that does not work with the screen
reader, and any difficulties you encounter.
Make one of your visits to a website with a lot of video
content – could you access the video with the screen reader?
Try to access a website to which you have never been before
– keep similar notes.
Then, access a disability organization’s website – any of
your choice, but several are listed here:
www.aapd.com
www.afb.org
http://ncil.org/
Analyze your experience with each website and respond to the
following questions
Did you notice differences in the websites?
What did you find frustrating about this activity?
What would you recommend to make this experience easier?
Do you think that you would have an easier time navigating
with a screen reader program if you had more experience using it, or were there
other factors?
How does this activity alter your perspective on the
experience of the visually impaired and those with other physical impairments
that make technology use a challenge?
Remember, in order to earn full participation credit for
this discussion topic, you must respond substantively to at least 2 classmates
throughout the week
DQ2 topic 4
Reenvisioning the Educational System
Watch the following fascinating perspective on education:
(Note: you may want to take notes!)
Respond to the following items in 2-3 well-written
paragraphs. Once you have responded, read and respond to the ideas of at least
2 of your classmates during the week. Refer to the syllabus for guidelines on
discussion participation.
Summarize three main points you took away from this
presentation.
Visit the following website identifying the top educational
systems in the world:http://www.ncee.org/programs-affiliates/center-on-international-education-benchmarking/top-performing-countries/
Take a look at 3 or more of these countries and briefly describe why these
systems are so successful. Do you see any commonalities across these systems?
Given what you have learned this week about the social
sciences, education, and the transformative effect of technology on learning
and development, propose an educational model for the future. What do you think
should stay the same, what should change, and what role does technology play in
helping to implement your model? What are the potential consequences (positive
and negative) of the changes you propose?
