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<font face="Courier New, Courier" size=2>Podcasts, Vodcasts and Universal
Design<br><br>
EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) is providing a 4-week
series of 4 Webinars on Podcasts, Vodcasts and the Application of
Universal Design. EASI's first concern is how to make them
accessible for users with disabilities, but we are convinced that this is
truly one time that accessibility also enhances the experience for
EVERYONE!<br><br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>Podcasting
and now Vodcasting are becoming popular as a new way to distribute
educational content. One of the questions being asked is whether
these are just a passing fad or are they a new learning tool. In
part, the answer depends on where they are used and even more on how they
are designed. It is possible to use these new dissemination tools
in ways that truly enhance learning for all.<br><br>
WHY SHOULD I PROVIDE TRANSCRIPTIONS OF MY PODCASTS OR VODCASTS?<br>
Providing transcriptions and/or synchronized captions for them is much
more useful than only making the content available to users who have
visual or hearing impairments. They are important ingredients in
transforming Podcasts and Vodcasts from being merely entertainment and
making them into learning experiences. The really useful aspect of
Podcasts and Vodcasts is the ability to play them on portable, personal
devices letting the user access them anywhere and at any time.
However, without the addition of being able to get a transcription, the
Podcast or Vodcast can become a largely passive experience with much of
the content being lost when the user finishes playing them. A
transcription enables the user to interact with the content by
underlining, and adding personal comments, questions and
notations.<br><br>
Obviously these same transcriptions opens up access to the content for
students with various disabilities. Yet, the truth is that
providing a transcription is crucial in order to turn Podcasts and
Vodcasts into tools for dissemination of educational content.<br><br>
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS 4-PART WEBINAR SERIES?<br>
You can read about this 4-part Webinar series provided twice, once in
August and again in September, and also register for the fee-based series
at:<br>
<a href="http://easi.cc/clinic.htm" eudora="autourl">http://easi.cc/clinic.htm<br><br>
</a>EASI'S 3 PODCAST FEEDS<br>
EASI has been providing Podcasts for several months now. There are
3 different feeds with episodes being posted every 2-3 weeks to
each. They are:<br>
IT Tips and Tricks<br>
It's About People Not Technology<br>
Recorded Presentations from Accessibility Conferences<br><br>
you can read more and join any of these Podcast feeds at:<br>
<a href="http://easi.cc/podcasts" eudora="autourl">http://easi.cc/podcasts<br><br>
</a>You can email EASI at:<br>
easi.easi@gmail.com<br><br>
<br><br>
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EASI 4-part Webinar Series in August: Creating Accessible Podcasts and
Vodcasts<br>
<a href="http://easi.cc/clinic.htm" eudora="autourl">http://easi.cc/clinic.htm<br>
</a>EASI August Courses: Train the Trainer and Accessible Multimedia
<br>
<a href="http://easi.cc/workshop.htm" eudora="autourl">http://easi.cc/workshop.htm<br><br>
</a>Norman Coombs<br>
CEO EASI<br>
<a href="http://easi.cc/" eudora="autourl">http://easi.cc<br><br>
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