Helping Adult Literacy using Audio
by admin - April 20th, 2009. Filed under: Audio/Video for Business.
Switch on to Literacies site
We developed a site some time ago which perfectly illustrated the use of use of audio on the web. Argyll and Bute Council Community Education asked us to create a website for the Adult Literacy and Numeracy Programme. The programme/site is intended to help improve Adult Numeracy and Literacy in Scotland. The site has various audiences but it was clear that everyone using the site could utilise the audio guide introducing the basic function of the site.
We needed to get a voiceover to suit the audience and as it turned out one of the tutors had a great microphone voice. So one morning we set up the studio vocal booth and within 20 minutes and a few takes we had the voiceover completed. Not only did we get a good voice but a lot of empathy with the subject matter which made for a nice easy vocal session.
Most often a student would be with the tutor when browsing sites and therefore it was decided that the entire site did not require audio. Notwithstanding that it was a perfect application for the audio on the web. We also had to give a lot of thought to the usability through meaningful icons and navigation to aid the literacy process.
April 21st, 2009 at 4:16 pm
This is interesting stuff Brian. The internet is a fantastic learning tool, not just for the literate.
I do think it’s a pity however, that the decision was made not to include site-wide audio content. You say that “Most often a student would be with the tutor when browsing sites.” That means that a minority who don’t have a tutor present are disadvantaged.
In the interest of social inclusion and responsibility, surely websites should cater for the majority AND minority?
I think as soon as you start down the road of pigeon-holing web users’ habits (albeit, this is a different case from designing a commercial website, because it’s a somewhat niche (although very important), non-profit area) you run the risk of marginalising potential website visitors.
Harry
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:52 pm
This site was done (to the client’s specification, since you ask) and at a time when bandwidth issues were still high on the agenda. In any design decision there are always minorities who are not catered for because it is just not practical. All designs have tradeoffs - that’s arguably the definition of design.
This is particularly the case on the internet where the end user has so much control over what they see/hear?
How do you suggest we convey to them to troubleshoot their audio to hear the instructions to use the site? Tell them to plug in their earphones?
What if they don’t have headphone or they do but it is the wee mini plugs and not the quarter inch jacks?
How do we do that without marginalising those who don’t have headphones?
I’d be happy cater for the minorities commercial or otherwise (they all have budgets to work to) if you give me an answer how to cater for every single person including the following.
Gaelic speakers
Welsh speakers
Quadraplegics (limited mobility
Blind
Deaf
Motor Neuron disease
People called Dave whose windows computer is infected and has hundred of popups
Those without headphones
Those with tinnitus after a Metallica gig
Send answers on a postcard to….
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Informative response.
I suppose my response was me being idealistic. There’s nothing inherently wrong with idealism, but, in my experience, ideals don’t jive too well in the business arena if you want to get ahead. That’s not to say that ideals and ethics don’t have a place in business, because they most definitely do. I just find it sad that budgets habitually impede ideals.
I like your answer to my question about how to cater for all minorities (although your answer it with a question;-)).
I think you’re right, there are always trade-offs, which is an unfortunate reality. Even the most able-bodied and minded people get marginalised and disenfranchised somewhere along the way.
So, I suppose helping the majority of those in need is better than helping no-one.
Harry
P.S. You mentioned the blind. How do the blind use the internet? Perhaps one day there will be some sort of “voice responsive navigation” that enables the blind to use the internet. This would mean that there would have to be an entire audio version of the internet employing emerging and new technologies. Maybe someday… It’s still early days for this fledgling technological phenomenon.