An ISO/IEC International Standard on e-learning will make it easier to match individual user needs and preferences with the right educational resources.
ISO/IEC 24751 aims to meet the needs of learners in the context of "disability", which it views as a consequence of a mismatch between the learner's needs (or preferences) and the education or learning experience delivered.
For example, an individual who is blind is not disabled when the lesson is delivered in audio. However, an individual who does not have the necessary background knowledge to understand the lesson, or who is listening to the lesson in a noisy environment, is disabled. Thus, the needs and preferences of a user may arise from the user's context or environment, the technical requirements of the user's device, the tools available (e.g. assistive technologies such as Braille devices, voice recognition systems, alternative keyboards, etc.), the user's background, or a disability in the traditional sense.
Given this reframing of the meaning of "disability", a learning environment is deemed as "accessible" when learner needs can be addressed or matched.
ISO/IEC 24751, Part 1, provides a common framework to describe and specify learner needs and preferences and the corresponding description of the digital learning resources, so that individual learner preferences and needs can be matched with the appropriate user interface tools and digital learning resources.
ISO/IEC 24751, Part 2 provides a common information model to describe how a user desires to access online learning content and related applications. It includes how needs and preferences can be ranked with respect to priority, and the use of generic and application-specific needs and preference specifications.
ISO/IEC 24751, Part 3 provides a common language for describing aspects of a computer system (including networked systems) to facilitate their being matched to learners' accessibility needs and preferences. This part also describes application information scenarios and gives informative implementation examples.
For people with disabilities, whose choice of access modalities is restricted, the process of matching a resource with a user requirement is not a matter of convenience or refinement, but one of utmost importance in ensuring access. Use of ISO/IEC 24751 will assist in matching individual learner needs in a computer-mediated learning environment with the necessary user interface and resources needed to meet those needs.
ISO/IEC 24751, Information technology – Individualized adaptability and accessibility in e-learning, education and training –
Part 1: Framework and reference model
Part 2: "Access for all" personal needs and preferences for digital delivery
Part 3: "Access for all" digital resource description
was developed by joint technical committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology, subcommittee SC 36, Information technology for learning, education and training. It is available from ISO national member institutes (see the complete list with contact details). It may also be obtained directly from the ISO Central Secretariat, price 130 Swiss francs (Part 1), 192 Swiss francs (Part 2) and 136 Swiss francs (Part 3) through the ISO Store or by contacting the Marketing & Communication department (see right-hand column).