Comments for Virtual Imaginings

Comment on CSUN 26th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, San Diego by Travis Yarbough

Travis Yarbough — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:40:17 +0000

I just added this web site to my rss reader, great stuff. Cannot get enough!

Comment on Tour of the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling boat while docked in Hobart by ovttours (@ovttours)

ovttours (@ovttours) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:07:36 +0000

Oh! God, I just hope crew is not panicking.

Comment on Radio 5RPH radio segment – 2012 in review by rapid prototype machine

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Comment on Trials of iPads as Assistive Technologies by Denise Wood

Denise Wood — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:55:10 +0000

Thanks for sharing your site – a very impressive and inspirational project. Are you primarily focusing on the one country or is your reach intended to be global?

Have you thought about also building up an evidence base of academic research (journal and conference papers) demonstrating the value and application of these mobile technologies? Might attract a broader population of researchers and developers perhaps?

Cheers
Denise

Comment on Trials of iPads as Assistive Technologies by nataligvillariny

nataligvillariny — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:46:27 +0000

Thanks for your kind reply, Denise. Perhaps you’ll be interested in checking out our website: http://www.amovil.es/en We’re non profit organization based in Spain dedicated to helping people with special needs identify mobile devices compatible with assistive technologies that would best suit their needs and preferences. Any feedback is welcome.

Comment on Trials of iPads as Assistive Technologies by Denise Wood

Denise Wood — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:40:43 +0000

Hi Nataligv

You raise some interesting issues that are also quite close to my heart given the work I am undertaking in socially disadvantaged areas of South Africa where iPhones and iPads are indeed luxuries.

I have been watching the emergence of increasingly affordable smart phones and tablets for some time and it is exciting to see the competition is contributing to the affordability of many of the Android devices and now too Widows 8 tablets. I am quite sure that we will see more research citing the use of these alternative lower cost devices in time. Apple was a game changer with the introduction of accessibility features in IOS devices, so it is not surprising that early developers focused their attention on developing apps for iDevices – but that is already changing – for example Therapy Box (an assistive software company in the UK) is now modifying much of their software to provide Android alternatives.

While our research has been trialling iPads as assistive technologies, that is largely because at the time we began the research, the apps we needed were only available on IOS ad also we were fortunate in having Telstra sponsor the research and provide the iPads for our participants. However, our focus is not really on any one platform – the outcomes of our research are designed to be applicable to any mainstream mobile technology and will hopefully encourage other developers to do more in this space across all platforms.

We have recently submitted a paper on the initial findings of our trials to the Telecommunications Journal of Australia. If the paper is accepted we will link to it from this blog.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts – I can only agree with everything your raise here – but also would stress times are changing and competition is a good thing when it comes to affordability of these technologies.

Best wishes

Denise

Comment on Trials of iPads as Assistive Technologies by nataligvillariny

nataligvillariny — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:34:20 +0000

I’ve been reading a lot about the potential of iPads as assistive devices but I wonder, are researchers giving Apple way too much publicity? iPads are expensive gadgets, and there are other tablets in the market that are cheaper. I would like to know if they can also be used as assistive devices because not everyone can afford an iPad. Is there much difference between an Android-powered tablet and an iPad?

Comment on Presentation at the Higher Education Close Up Conference in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa by Denise Wood

Denise Wood — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:43:51 +0000

Thanks Kurt – got behind a little since returning from South Africa – but back on task again!

Comment on Presentation at the Higher Education Close Up Conference in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa by Kurt

Kurt — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 15:54:58 +0000

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Comment on Workshop on 3D Virtual Learning conducted at the University of the Western Cape by 3d virtual worlds

3d virtual worlds — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:24:11 +0000

Great that students are having the chance to learn this while still in school and will not be lost when they come out of school and get their first jobs.