Access It: Information when, where and how they need it

  • Mr Stephen Russell, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, New Zealand
  • A growing number of students are technologically aware and already have a high level of interaction with a range of media. In response we must revisit our educational practices and provision of support services and harness emerging technologies to reflect the needs and expectations of what Oblinger (2005) calls ' Net Geners'.

    This collaborative project involved staff from the Library, Disability Services and Information Literacy at CPIT. The aim was to develop a range of accessible online resources for delivery when, where and how the diverse range of current and future students and staff need it.

    Using Garageband software, scripts of previously printed or orally delivered information were made into a series of enhanced podcasts that are being trialled for inclusion on the intranet. These can then be made available via an RSS feed or as a download to an iPod or similar device.

    The first output was an enhanced podcast providing a virtual tour of the library, available in the three official New Zealand languages - English, Te Reo and New Zealand Sign Language. This has given Deaf students access to a library tour in their first language via an iPod and enables those with a Specific Learning Disability to revisit the information when they want, as often as they need.

    Though the use of the technology works, in giving access and freeing staff from delivery, and the feedback is positive, the usage shows there are definitely some things that do not work in this format.

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