The Inclusive Design Research Centre (IDRC) at OCAD University will be hosting an OER Accessibility Sprint. Experts in the field of Open Educational Resources (OER) will gather to design and develop tools and exemplars that make practical progress in the important agenda of inclusive learning through OER.
In this moment we have a tremendous challenge and opportunity to leap forward in the accessibility of interactive resources. HTML5 and EPUB3 development is gaining popularity. Development tools and authoring environments are being created, component toolkits are being populated. The timing is critical, we need to make an impact before the conventions lock in. We can help to ensure that all learners can participate in experiential, game-based, problem-based learning and that students using alternative access means can benefit from the innovative advances in open textbooks.
We hope you will join us for two days of collaboration, great food and drink, and real progress on important topics. Among the challenges on the agenda are a special focus on HTML5 and EPUB3 applied in:
We need coders but we also need designers, educators, policy makers, experts in addressing accessibility barriers, problem solvers and people willing to assist in any way they can. At the IDRC we have proven time and again that the more diverse the perspectives, knowledge and skills, the better the collective outcomes.
As preparation for our "barn raising" let's take stock of our workforce. Please RSVP by email to jmitchell@ocadu.ca. In your email, please send a short bio to speed up the "getting to know you" process within this large team (a paragraph or a URL to a bio online).
Also, please let us know which skills/resources/talents from the list below you will generously contribute.
| Time | Activity | Locations |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Welcome dinner | 49 McCaul St. |
| Time | Activity | Locations |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 am - 9:00 am | Breakfast | 205 Richmond St. |
| 9:00 am | Introduction & Coffee | 205 Richmond St. |
| 9:30 am | Meet your team and create a person. | 205 Richmond St. 230 Richmond St. |
| 10:30 am - 10:45 am | Social and coffee break | 205 Richmond St. 230 Richmond St. |
| 10:45 am | Create a user scenario, brainstorm, design and plan. | 205 Richmond St. 230 Richmond St. |
| 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm | Lunch | 205 Richmond St. |
| 1:30 pm | Put your team plan together. | 205 Richmond St. 230 Richmond St. |
| 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm | Social and coffee break | 205 Richmond St. |
| 3:30 pm | Share your team plan. | 205 Richmond St. |
| 5:00 pm | Close | 205 Richmond St. |
| Thursday Evening | Informal evening on the town. Explore food and winter fun with new friends. | Suggestions to be provided. |
| Time | Activity | Locations |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 am - 9:00 am | Breakfast | 205 Richmond St. |
| 9:00 am | Design and build. | 205 Richmond St. 230 Richmond St. (wherever you were working on Thursday) |
| 10:30 am - 11:00 am | Break | 205 Richmond St. 230 Richmond St. |
| 11:00 am | Continue design and build. | 205 Richmond St. 230 Richmond St. |
| 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm | Lunch | 205 Richmond St. |
| 1:30 pm | Tie-up loose ends and prepare to share. | 205 Richmond St. 230 Richmond St. |
| 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm | Break | 205 Richmond St. |
| 4:00 pm | Close & wrap-up: teams share progress and articulate next steps. | 205 Richmond St. |
| 5:00 pm | Close | 205 Richmond St. |
Please join us for dinner on Wednesday, February 25th (RSVP to pmurray@ocadu.ca) where we will chat and get to know each other.
On Thursday and Friday we will be serving breakfast, two coffee breaks, and lunch.
For Thursday night we encourage you to explore the many culinary wonders Toronto has to offer. Please see:
On Thursday night brave souls will seek winter enjoyment in the city. There are groups that are planning the following activities:
We’ll make sure you hook up with new friends with similar interests. Check our Toronto activities page for ideas.
For collaborating, note-taking, or brainstorming within your groups, use one of the handy notebooks that have already been created for you in Google Docs. Visit OER Accessibility Sprint notebooks and choose the notebook that corresponds to your project.