There are a lot of artefacts inside and outside my organisation which create points of focus for developing accessible resources. Internal artefacts include our policy, values and mission statement. We are close to student feedback and this provides key areas to focus on. External artefacts include a wide range of resources from websites, blogs, books and software. I think the development of new technology also is an important artefact, so for example, currently we are looking at how the Sony E-Readers can be utilised to host accessible study material. I think sometimes, we can over rely on accessibility tools and do not apply human judgement to whether it is the right thing to do or not. There is lots of evidence of mutual engagement and communities – we have a culture of working groups and bringing stakeholders together from the whole constellation of practice. I think Figure 13.1 in Seale (2006, p.18) is a useful trigger showing the constellation of accessible e-learning practice. It ensures everyone is included. Different subject experts do need to work together. The constellation would be the same in my organisation that Seale (2006) suggests, but perhaps with some additional stakeholders, such as external procurement providers and printers.
Three issues identified from Seale (2006) chapter 13 are:-
1. The issue around needing a theory, model or framework to help us understand how the different stakeholders might form a community and work together to develop accessible e-learning.
2. If reification prevails over participation, if everything is reified but with little opportunity for shared experience and interactive negotiation, then there may not be enough overlap in participation to recover a coordinated and generative meaning
3. Communities of practice does not deal in great detail with conflicts and tension and contradictions that may influence the development of practice
Filed under: H810 Week 16
