From eBooks to Learning Books
Dr. Boris Goldowsky & Lisa Spitz
Center for Applied Special Technology
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About CAST
Nonprofit research and development organization
Works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals, especially those with disabilities, through Universal Design for Learning.
“Founded in 1984 as the Center for Applied Special Technology, CAST has earned international recognition for its innovative contributions to educational products, classroom practices, and policies. Its staff includes specialists in education research and policy, neuropsychology, clinical/school psychology, technology, engineering, curriculum development, K-12 professional development, and more.”
– More information: http://www.cast.org
Universal Design Elements for Websites
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Abstract
Current state of technology, books versus eBooks
How people learn
Universal Design for Learning
Features of a Learning Book
Future directions and conclusions
Q & A
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Introduction
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Introduction
Joe's Non-Netbook
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkhpmEZWuRQ
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Introduction
Amazon, Kindle
Barnes & Noble, Nook
Skiff Reader
Apple, iPad
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Introduction
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Introduction
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Introduction
Reading for Learning
– How can we transform eBooks into Learning Books?
?
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How people learn
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How people learn
Old model of learning: Stimulus, Response, and Reinforcement.
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How people learn
New model of learning: Contextual, Distributed, Variable
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How people learn
Learning is: Contextual If the balloons popped, the sound would not be able to carry since
everything would be too far away from the correct floor. A closed window would also prevent the sound from carrying since most buildings tend to be well insulated. Since the whole operation depends on a steady flow of electricity, a break in the middle of the wire would also cause problems. Of course the fellow could shout, but the human voice is not loud enough to carry that far. An additional problem would be no accompaniment to the message. It is clear that the best situation would involve less distance. Then there would be fewer potential problems. With face-to-face contact, the least number of things could go wrong.
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How people learn
If the balloons popped, the sound would not be able to carry since everything would be too far away from the correct floor. A closed window would also prevent the sound from carrying since most buildings tend to be well insulated. Since the whole operation depends on a steady flow of electricity, a break in the middle of the wire would also cause problems. Of course the fellow could shout, but the human voice is not loud enough to carry that far. An additional problem would be no accompaniment to the message. It is clear that the best situation would involve less distance. Then there would be fewer potential problems. With face-to-face contact, the least number of things could go wrong.
(from Bransford and Johnson, 1972).
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How people learn
Learning is: Distributed
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How people learn
Learning is: Variable
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Universal Design for Learning
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Universal Design for Learning
Three networks of the brain
Enabling individuals to identify and understand information, ideas, and concepts
Enabling individuals to plan, execute, and monitor actions and skills
Enabling individuals to engage with tasks and learning and with the world
http://udlonline.cast.org/
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Universal Design for Learning
UDL Guidelines have three primary principles:
http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines
WHAT? (Recognition) HOW? (Strategic) WHY? (Affective)
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Universal Design for Learning
http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines
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Features for Learning Books
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Features for Learning Books
What does UDL suggest could be added to current eBook interfaces to make them better for learning?
– Access to Content
– Navigation Features
– Action and Expression Features
– Affect Features
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Access to Content
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Access to Content
Multiple Means of Representation
http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines/
http://bookbuilder.cast.org
http://udlspotlight.wordpress.com
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Access to Content
Increased font sizes (Handled by most e-readers already)
http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines/
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Access to Content
Image – Descriptions, alt text, captions, etc…
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Access to Content
Video and Audio – Descriptions, Captions, Transcripts
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Access to Content
Translation – Single Word
http://sciencewriter.cast.org
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Access to Content
Translation – Whole Document
http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines/downloads
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Access to Content
Linking – Multimedia glossary
http://udleditions.cast.org
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Access to Content
Linking – Background knowledge
http://udleditions.cast.org
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Access to Content
Linking – Geographical
http://udleditions.cast.org
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Access to Content
Linking – Character lists, family trees…
http://xkcd.com/657/
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Access to Content
Narration – Good: a text to speech option (like Kindle)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3bv0C8IS-I
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Access to Content
Narration – Better: real human voice reading, synchronized with the text (DAISY).
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Navigation Features
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Navigation Features
TOC – expand for subsections; collapse for overview
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Navigation Features
Alternate Views of TOC – Graphic Organizers
http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/
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Navigation Features
Alternate Views of TOC – Summary
http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/ideas/tes/chapter1.cfm
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Navigation Features
Search
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Navigation Features
Site Map
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Action and Expression Features
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Action and Expression Features
Highlighting
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Action and Expression Features
Annotating
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Action and Expression Features
Note-taking / Journaling
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Action and Expression Features
Asking for responses
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Action and Expression Features
Options for expression - Write
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Action and Expression Features
Options for expression - Draw
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Action and Expression Features
Options for expression - Record
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Action and Expression Features
Options for expression - Upload
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Action and Expression Features
Checks for comprehension
http://udleditions.cast.org
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Action and Expression Features
Checks for comprehension
http://udleditions.cast.org
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Action and Expression Features
Ability to organize concepts
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Affect Features
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Affect Features
Choice
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Action and Expression Features
Checking In
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Affect Features
Teacher and classroom discussion
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Affect Features
Collaboration and community
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Future Directions
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Future Directions
Extending ideas from supported text to supported:
– Images
– Video
– Audio
Extending thinking to more interactive materials:
– Simulations
– Discussions
– Living Documents
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Conclusion
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Conclusion
Let's not just port the book to a new technology.
Think about how people learn, create knowledge, & enjoy exploring and build something new and better for doing that.
You don't need to be an expert in cognition to do this - but do think about variability/diversity of people.
Many creative ideas come from starting by considering the people "in the margins", then making those features available universally.
This UDL design process can be applied to almost anything.
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Questions and Discussion
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Resources
CAST: www.cast.org
CAST Learning Tools: http://cast.org/learningtools
National Center on Universal Design for Learning (UDL): http://www.udlcenter.org/
National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM): http://aim.cast.org/
DAISY: http://www.daisy.org/
Boris: [email protected]
Lisa: [email protected]
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Thank You!
BORIS GOLDOWSKYDirector of [email protected]
LISA SPITZDirector of [email protected]