Does ubiquity overrule uniqueness?: A critique of the concept of openness for marginalised groups in online learning

Citation

Watchman K (2014) Does ubiquity overrule uniqueness?: A critique of the concept of openness for marginalised groups in online learning. University of the West of Scotland. http://ubiquitousorunique.weebly.com/

Abstract
This Open Education Resource has been developed to raise awareness and stimulate thinking about access to, and the use of,open learning and Web 2.0 (social media) activities by typically excluded or marginalised groups, particularly people with a disability and/or in later life. You are challenged to consider the extent and reasons for digital exclusion, to think about the complexity of digital inclusion and to consider how far it is possible to recognise uniqueness among the ubiquitous, ever present nature of digital information. The learning gained from participation in this OER is intended to give you confidence in looking beyond 'access' as a generic term based on Universal Design Principles and to consider instead how this can be applied in a range of different contexts. In particular, your focus should be on longer life expectancy and increased opportunities for all which will mean that inevitably more people will access the internet and Web 2 technologies in the future. In an ageing society this will include groups previously seen as marginalised due to the perception of others, for example older people, people with a learning disability and disabled people