Don’t miss the last in the current series of ELESIG webinars, 4pm Tuesday 4 September.

 

http://elesig.ning.com/events/jane-seale-what-can-participatory-methods-contribute-to-learning

 

Jane Seale, Open University

At the heart of participatory methods is the principle of researching and designing with rather than on people. Participants are encouraged to own the outcome of the research or design process by setting the goals and sharing in decisions about processes. Participatory methods attempt to engage participants in the whole process from design through to evaluation. Participatory methods emphasise collaborative partnerships, but also go beyond this to emphasise non-hierarchical relationships where those considered traditionally to have little voice or power (e.g. students or disabled people) have the same status and power as those who are considered traditionally to have the greatest voice or power (e.g. academics, non-disabled people).

There is a plethora of evidence that points to the significant disadvantages that disabled students in higher education experience including inaccessible learning experiences and increased administrative burden. A common response to this phenomenon is to suggest that technologies can reduce or mitigate these disadvantages. There is however, a large amount of evidence to show that technology is ‘a double-edged sword’- it can both reduce and increase accessibility and digital inclusion. The research and practice field has attached blame for the failure of technology to empower disabled students to many stakeholders and their perceived poor practices. Lecturers, learning technologists and senior managers have all been in the gaze of accessibility campaigners and advocates. This gaze is not always sympathetic to their perspectives and experiences.

In this presentation I will draw on examples from my own research into accessibility and the use of technologies by disabled students to discuss the following questions:

1.       Who is silenced and ignored in the field of disability, accessibility and learning technology and why?

2.       What opportunities and challenges might arise through the use of participatory methods to give voice to those who are silenced and ignored?

 

 

 The webinar will be recorded and will be available from the ELESIG website

http://elesig.ning.com/events/jane-seale-what-can-participatory-methods-contribute-to-learning

 

 

 

 

Professor Rhona Sharpe

Head of Department of Technology Enhanced Learning


Tel: +44 (0) 1483 683350
Email: [log in to unmask]

University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK