Of Tattoos, Naps and iPods in the Office

This article originally caught my eye back in July and I had meant to post it here but time got away from me. I was updating the blog recently and it caught my eye again - but now that the academic semester has started and my student workers are back in action it comes with some resonance.

'IM starving' - The Boston Globe

This article on students using IM to order ahead at local eateries caught my eye not just because it speaks of using low-level everyday technology in a new way, and not because it focuses on BU students (although it is interesting to see one of my favorite lunch spots mentioned), but more because I was able to quickly determine the positive implications for individuals with disabilities. IM is most often spotlighted as a tool used by the Deaf community. But here we can imagine how it can be used by students with other issues. For example -

• A student with a mobility impairment. Rather than standing in line to order food they can IM their order ahead of time and head straight to the pick-up counter.


• A student with ADHD who has difficulties focusing on over-the counter menus or making up their mind in a crowded and noisy eatery. Using a take-out menu (hard copy or web based) they can take their time choosing what to order from outside the restaurant.


• A student who is blind can use their screenreading software to read the menu off the web and order accordingly. Consider this - if the eatery has Wi-Fi and the student can use their PDA with speech to have the menu read to them while standing in line to order.

Individuals with disabilities being able to use portable technology to communicate with service personnel in realtime -- now that is what I call Universal Design!

Advice To Students: Pack A Mac

Unless ... of course ... you need to deal with a little thing called "access technology"

Coming of Age: an introduction to the new world wide web

This book - Coming of Age (.pdf - 1.9MB) - is a nice UK introduction to Web 2.0 for individuals, teachers, school and Local Authority managers (Superintendents and Administrators), school libraries, Professional Development coordinators, students and parents.

The book provides a set of stories, describing the ways in which Web 2.0 technology can be used in schools, particularly as a way of supporting social, collaborative learning, and a more individualised curriculum.

I downloaded it and have read through much of it and though I know there is some really good information out there on the web, it is hard to find such a comprehensive listing of ideas and information from professionals in the field actually using and training on this stuff. If you get the chance, I very much recommend taking a look for yourself - go ahead - don't cost nothin'...