Constructivist eLearning and the problems faced by dyslexic students

Came across an interesting article recently which looked at the difficulties faced by dyslexic students when using text-based synchronous communication mechanisms (e.g. chatrooms). As these environments are being increasingly used as part of Higher Ed courses, it is an important (but often neglected) issue, particularly considering the increasing number of dyslexic students in Higher Ed today.

The article can be accessed at: http://www.formatex.org/micte2005/97.pdf.

Full reference details:
Woodfine BP, Nunes MB, Wright DJ (2005) 'Constructivist eLearning and Dyslexia: Problems of Social Negotiation in Text-Based Synchronous Environments' Méndez-Vilas A, González-Pereira B, Mesa González J, Mesa González JA (eds) Recent Research Developments in Learning Technologies Badajoz, Spain: FORMATEX

Eye-tracking study of users watching talking-head videos online

The usability guru Jakob Nielsen has published his latest alertbox at http://www.useit.com/alertbox/video.html. It is an interesting study of how behave when watching talking-head videos online. In summary, the eyetracking data clearly showed that a talking head was boring, even for 24 seconds.

Main guidelines are:

- Keep it short. Typically, Web videos should be less than a minute long.

- Avoid using video if the content doesn't take advantage of the medium's dynamic nature. i.e. it's better to use video for things that move or otherwise work better on film than they would as a combination of photos and text.

- Web users are easily distracted so keep distracting elements out of the frame of your shots. If there's a road sign in the video, for example, users will try to read it and will thus miss some of the main content.

Expanding the Campus

DIT are having their annual eLearning Day on Thursday 15th December (10:00-4:00) in the FOCAS Institute, behind the Kevin St. campus.

The day will start with the launch of the“Quest for Learning” website (www.questforlearning.org) by Síle de Valera, TD, Minister of State in the Department of Education. AHEAD (the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability) has worked with DIT and other institutions in Ireland and across Europe to develop a range of on-line resources related to learning and employability, for people with disabilities.

The programme for the day promises an interesting mix of demonstrations and presentations, with case studies from DIT lecturers in the afternoon and also the opportunity to hear DIT students talk about how eLearning is impacting on their learning experience.

The demonstration session, "Gizmos & Gadgets", will showcase the array of technology now available to all DIT staff, with tools such as Studymate, Impatica, HorizonWimba voicetools and others explained and contextualised.

All visitors are welcome! To register go to http://elearning-events.dit.ie/eLearningDay2005/Register.asp.

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