Accessible Multimedia

Think about how diverse the audience for your course is. Students come with different needs, preferences, and ways of learning. Some might have visual or hearing impairments that make traditional multimedia content challenging to access. That’s where accessibility comes in. It’s all about ensuring that no matter a student’s abilities, they can engage with, learn from, and enjoy your course content just as much as anyone else.

Alt Text for Images

Alt text is a way to ensure your images speak to everyone, including students who use screen readers. Incorporating images into your course content can seriously amp up the engagement and understanding for your students. But here’s the catch: not everyone experiences these images in the same way. This is where alt text comes into play, a crucial component for accessibility in digital content.

Alt text stands for alternative text. It’s a concise description of an image’s content or its function, serving as a textual stand-in for those using assistive technology. Think of it as narrating the unseen picture, providing context and ensuring no student misses out on important information.

Imagine trying to solve a puzzle but missing a few pieces. That’s what it’s like for students relying on screen readers when images lack alt text. By adding alt text, you ensure every student has all the pieces they need to complete the puzzle.

Crafting Effective Alt Text

When writing alt text:

  • Keep it short and sweet, focusing on the image’s essential details or function.
  • Avoid starting with “image of…” or “picture of…”; get straight to the description.
  • If an image is purely decorative and doesn’t add informational value, it’s okay to mark it as such so screen readers can skip over it.

Alt Text in Quizzes and Assignments

Be mindful of how images are used in quizzes and assignments. If an image is central to answering a question, consider how you can provide the same information in a text-based format to ensure fairness for all students.

Implementing Alt Text

Using tools like the CarmenCanvas Rich Content Editor (RCE), adding alt text to your images is a breeze. It’s a simple step that makes a significant difference in making your course fully accessible and inclusive.

Ensure Video and Audio Quality

Just like a chef uses high-quality ingredients for a stellar dish, the quality of your video and audio content is crucial for creating an engaging and accessible learning experience. Poor audio or video quality isn’t just a minor inconvenience; it can be a major barrier, making content difficult to access for all students, especially those with hearing or visual impairments.

Think of trying to learn from a video that looks like it’s been filmed through a foggy window, or an audio recording where it sounds like the speaker is underwater. Frustrating, right? High-quality video and audio ensure that all students, regardless of their abilities, can clearly see and hear your content, making learning more inclusive and effective.

Recommendations for High-Quality Content

  • For Videos: Aim for clear, high-resolution videos where visuals are sharp and easily distinguishable. This doesn’t mean you need Hollywood-level production – just a setup that allows your students to see what’s being taught without squinting or guessing.
  • For Audio: Clear, crisp audio is key. Background noise should be minimal, and the speaker’s voice should be loud enough to hear comfortably. A good quality microphone and a quiet recording environment can make all the difference.

A Few Tips to Enhance Quality

  • Test Your Setup: Before recording, do a test run to check both audio and visual quality. Look for any issues that could distract or hinder understanding, like background noise or poor lighting.
  • Seek Feedback: After publishing your content, ask for feedback from your students about the quality. They’re the best judges of whether the content is accessible to them.
  • Continuous Improvement: Technology changes and so do best practices for recording. Keep an eye on new ways to improve the quality of your video and audio content.

Caption Videos

Videos can make learning dynamic and engaging. But here’s the scoop: to make sure everyone can get the most out of your videos, including students who are deaf or hard of hearing, captions are a must. They’re not just an added bonus; they’re essential for accessibility and inclusivity. Captions provide a text version of the audio in your videos, ensuring that all students can follow along, regardless of hearing ability. Plus, they’re super handy for students studying in noisy environments or those who simply process information better by reading.

Getting Your Videos Captioned

Here’s how you can ensure your videos are fully captioned and ready to roll:

  • Check for Existing Captions: First off, if you’re using videos from platforms like YouTube, check if there are already auto-generated captions available. These can be a great starting point, but keep an eye on accuracy.
  • Creating Your Own Content?: If you’re recording lectures or discussions through Zoom, there’s good news. Zoom can create captions for you, but remember to turn on the transcript feature during your session.
  • Uploading Videos: When you upload videos to MediaSite, make sure to select the “audio transcript” option in the settings. This will help generate captions for your videos.
  • Need Extra Help?: Reach out to your instructional designer. They can assist in generating captions and provide you with a file to attach to your videos in CarmenCanvas.

Pro Tips for Video Captions

  • Accuracy is Key: Auto-generated captions are helpful, but they’re not perfect. It’s worth taking the time to review and correct any errors to ensure your captions are spot-on.
  • Integration Matters: Make sure the caption file is properly attached to your video in CarmenCanvas, ensuring a seamless viewing experience for your students.
  • Feedback Loop: Encourage students to provide feedback on the captions. This can help you identify and fix any issues, making your content even more accessible.

Audio Transcripts

Imagine you’re sharing a podcast or a recorded lecture in your course. It’s packed with insights and knowledge, but here’s the thing: not all students can access audio content in the same way. This is where transcripts come into the picture, offering a text-based alternative that ensures no one misses out on the valuable information you’re sharing.

Transcripts serve as a written record of your audio content, allowing students who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those who prefer reading to listening, to fully engage with the material. Plus, they’re handy for anyone who wants to quickly reference a specific part of your content without having to scrub through an audio file.

Creating Transcripts for Your Audio Content

The process is straightforward:

  • For prerecorded audio content, like podcasts or lectures, ensure you provide a transcript that captures all the spoken words and also describes relevant sounds that are part of the content. This might include laughter, sound effects, or music, if they add context to the audio.
  • You can request a transcript from your instructional designer. We use Otter.ai to create video captions and audio transcripts. We will send a file(s) to you. 
  • You can attach or link to the transcript directly within your course materials using tools like the CarmenCanvas Rich Content Editor (RCE). It’s about making the transcripts as easy to find and use as hitting play on the audio itself.

Providing transcripts is more than just ticking a box for accessibility; it’s about inclusivity and respect for all learners’ needs and preferences. It’s a testament to your commitment to creating a learning environment where every student has equal access to information. So, let’s make every word count and ensure your audio content speaks to everyone.

Resources

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