Accessibility and Course Design: Considerations for Instructors and Course Designers Using Learning Management Systems

Nicole Bohn, DPRC Nora Scully, DPRCNoelia Mendoza, AT

SF State University

Outline• Before the First Click• Simple Course Design Strategies• Course Management • Cross Campus Collaboration• Resources• Q & A

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Before the First Click

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ADA is Civil Rights Legislation

• The original intent of the ADA:o to protect the civil rights of people’s with

disabilities and ensure equal access and opportunity.

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Institutional Barriers for Students

• Proof of disability• Eligibility verifications• Accommodation referral• Self identify as disabled to professor• Expectation on students to “state their case”

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Reasons why student may not seek out accommodations

• Red tape perception• Fear and Identity issues • Desires to avoid negative social reactions• Insufficient knowledge of what’s available• Negative experiences with faculty

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Adaptive Technology Use

• Proficiency using Jaws, Zoom Text…• Cognitive map of internet structure, common

software and browser functionality• Familiarity with LMS structure and

functionality

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After the first click

The next obstacle course…

Course Design and LayoutLMS and Course Management

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LMS Constraints

Working accessibility within the parameters of the Learning Management System.

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Course Design And Layout

• Seek access for everyone • Design for diverse learning styles • Identify and map your learning objectives to

activities and assessments• Allow for varied expression of outcomes• Simple consistent layouts

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Naming and Labeling• Hierarchical ordering• Descriptive labels, using consistent file naming

conventions • Use Moodle styles (e.g., heading 1) for course

titles, topic titles and subtitles.• High contrast, adjustable fonts and colors• Labels should match reference to them in the

syllabus11

Naming and Labeling II• Inform of new window or pop-up• Avoid abbreviations• file name should include the file type or three

letter extensionExample: Biology333syllabus.rtf

• Avoid redundanciesExample: Use the name "Journal

Week 1" instead "Weekly Journal"12

Standard Accessibility Stuff• Functional alternate text for images• Information conveyed with color is also

conveyed without the use of color.• Use table summaries and header rows• Remove/hide unused blocks or features• Links to plugins, specialized software

applications (e.g., downloadable file readers)

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Course Management

• Student Course Overview• Course Administration

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Student Course Overview• Start of the semester e-mail with syllabus• Tour of LMS course (LMS course overview)• Profile setting (Screen Reader)• Support/Help

o Quick Guides/How–to Resourceso iLearn Central (moodle system updates)o iLearn (Moodle) Support Blocko Add support account

• Communication protocols 15

Course Administration

• Quiz Strategies• Communication Strategies

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Quiz Strategies• Two concurrent quizzes

o 1 regularly timed quizo 1 alternate quiz with password protection

• Single quiz for all studentso Student with accommodation takes password

protected quiz before or after the general class

• Accommodation proctor, reader, or writer• Adjust Gradebook

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Direct Communication Strategies• Quickmail (Email Block)

o Single student, multiple or groups of students

• News Forumo Post course announcements o Newest announcement always at top o Posting is always visible for student reference o A copy is emailed to students (Single or Digest) o A copy posted in Latest News Block

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Indirect Communication: Blockso Latest News• feeds from News Forum

o Upcoming events • Due date feeds: quizzes, assignments, and calendar

o Calendar• Due date feeds: quizzes, assignments, and events

o Activities Block• Index of activities by type, lists due/close dates, grades

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Communication

CHAT: How do you communicate with students in your course most often?

Post your answer via chat.

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Cross Campus Collaboration

• Suite of accessible tools• Development of Policy• Development of triad project management

model

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Suite Of Accessible Tools• iLearn, Diva, e-Portfolio• Web conferencing• Course Stream• Quick Guides• Access site• Syllabus tool• VPAT Database

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Syllabus Tool• Online template• Compelling, easy-to-use and accessible• Record of course learning outcomes• Departmental learning outcomes• College and institutional goals and outcomes• Record of student achievement• Transfer of institutional knowledge

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Online Educational Policy• Educational effectiveness• Recognition and Compensation• Accessibility• Technical and pedagogical support• Intellectual property and academic integrity• Security• Communication and Scheduling

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Summary

• Awareness of institutional barriers• Working with design and course management

best practices within parameters of LMS• Work collaboratively to develop tools, process

and policy to support universal access

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Accessible Tools

What are the accessible tools you use at your campus that you would like us to share with us?

Place names and URLs in the chat window

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