Examining Work Flows with a cognitive accessibility lens

Session Outline Consider the nature of the information landscape and it’s impact on work flows Consider the cognitive impact of digital and analogue information gathering processes Highlight strategies to manage information and associated actions Identify cognitive accessibility features in digital work flows

The Information Landscape Digital and analogue

Pushed information is relentless!

The cognitive impact

Cognitive load Executive functioning *These can be compounded by additional accessibility requirements

Executive Functioning A set of mental processes that helps us connect past experience with present action. We use executive function for planning, organizing, strategizing and paying attention to and remembering details. Keep track of time Keep track of objects Link information to past knowledge Adjust priorities

Executive functioning issues may include difficulties with: Classifying information for future retrieval and action planning a project or sequence of tasks comprehending the time a project will take to complete communicating details in an organized, sequential manner the mental strategies involved in memorization retrieving information from memory difficulty retaining information while doing something with it

I just might need that one day!

Encoding memories Tags Visual memory aids Multimodal in nature Retrieving memories Using cues Multi- sensory Involves strategic thinking

Tagging memories who when where what

Strategies to support Executive Functioning Digital work space Minimise clutter and multiple digital work spaces Minimalist approach to tools to avoid cognitive load Utilise multiple modes of similar information Construct personalised storage and retrieval system Managing work Make checklist for getting through a task. *Break large tasks into chunks and assign time frames to each Utilise reminder mechanisms General strategies Step by step approaches; utilise visual organisational aids and schedules Use tools with alarms *Incremental success and self regulation. Pomodoro technique –

2 tools that support Executive Functioning Lets take a look at the cognitive accessibility features of Livescribe 3 digital penEvernote

Cognitive accessibility with Livescribe 3 Disruptive but not intrusive The cognitive impact of handwriting

Cognitive accessibility with Livescribe 3 Working with snippets Snippet Actions Transcribe, edit Copy, delete, merge Create and open Reminders Share – , message, Evernote, OneNote

Cognitive accessibility with Evernote Some key features to support executive functioning Capture or multiple modes of information - web pages, documents, images, audio, video Endless Note page OCR processed images Develop personalised system of purposeful tagging* Embed organisational and monitoring strategies in note page - to do lists, audio notes, schedules, reminders, journal

Cognitive accessibility with Evernote Capturing analogue information

Create your own automated procedures

Wrap up Key points to consider Utilise tools which are prevalent in mainstream Too many tools increase the cognitive load Identify features in tools that support executive functioning strategies UDL principles of processing and interacting with information Smart devices can be disruptive without being intrusive Develop a strategic system for tagging Adopt a systematic approach to handwritten note taking eg Bullet Journal

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