Introduction Video
Key Concepts/Terminology in Accessibility
Making Online Learning Accessible for Students with Disabilities
Increasing Accessibility in Online Learning Environments
Overview
This module is for Education Science majors specializing in Educational Technology, and those specifically interested in educational technology and instructional design. This module seeks to inform students about why accessibility is an essential consideration when developing online learning materials and how it manifests in online learning environments as well as provide a learning activity. In this learning activity, students will analyze their own online courses they are enrolled in and assess accessibility in their content.
Introduction & Lesson Overview
Welcome to "Increasing Accessibility in Online Learning Environments"!
As a future educational technologist, instructional designer, or someone pursuing other careers in the field of educational technology, it is essential to understand why accessibility is important in online learning environments and how it can be improved.
Module Learning Objectives: After completing this module, you'll be able to...
- Describe the importance of accessibility in online educational contexts.
- Identify barriers and common challenges regarding accessibility in online learning.
- Analyze online course content and brainstorm edits and adjustments to increase accessibility.
Watch the video below:
Key Concepts, Barriers, and Improvement Strategies
First, read "Key Concepts/Terminology in Accessibility" to learn some basic terms related to accessibility.
Some common barriers to accessible online learning include:
Inaccessible course content
Tables without headings, PDFs without tags, images without alt text, broken links to external resources, videos without transcripts or closed captioning, etc.
Lack of integration with Assistive Technology (AT)
Screen readers are helpful and sometimes essential for students with visual impairments, but they are not compatible with every online material used in online learning.
A lack of diversity in instructional methods
Strategies for those creating online courses:
Focus on accessibility at the onset of course design.
Utilize design principles to create more user-friendly content.
Ensure text/font contrast, simplify navigation, organize content uniformly, etc.
Survey students to assess your audience's needs and gather feedback.
Read "Making Online Learning Accessible for Students with Disabilities" for a more in-depth analysis of current barriers and strategies before moving on.
Practice & Conclusion
Let's Practice!
List the online courses you have either previously been enrolled in or are currently enrolled in. For each course, find at least two elements that demonstrate sufficient accessibility and two that could be improved upon. In a 250-500 word paragraph for each course, explain your reasoning behind your selections and what strategies you would employ to improve accessibility in that corresponding course.
Conclusion
I hope this module has been informative and allowed you to reflect on your learning experiences as an Education Sciences student.
Please fill out the attached End of Module Survey to provide your thoughts and any feedback you may have. This form is anonymous!
References
Vanderbilt University. (2020, May 7). PSA: Tips for Increasing Accessibility in the Online Classroom. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFzGHX_xzhA
Top 10 website. (2019). Word cloud featuring “e-Learning” [Review of Word cloud featuring “e-Learning”]. https://www.flickr.com/photos/182229932@N07/48445750527
Unlocking the Future: Making Online Learning Accessible for Students with Disabilities - Accessibility Spark. (2023, August 13). https://accessibilityspark.com/making-online-learning-accessible-for-students-with-disabilities/
Youngson, N. (2020). Conclusions Sticky Note [Review of Conclusions Sticky Note]. https://www.picpedia.org/post-it-note/c/conclusions.html