Skip to main content

Increase the Accessibility of your Teaching

  • Updated

Accessible design is key to lowering the barriers to engagement with learning while enabling high achievement. Here are some actionable ideas to support you in ensuring that all of your students can access your teaching on Aula.

Audio, Video, Images, and Formatting

  • Add captions to videos: Follow best practices for effective captioning, such as those provided by The Described and Captioned Media Program. You can caption your videos for free using tools like Zoom and Echo 360.
  • Include transcripts for audio and video: Provide transcripts to ensure accessibility. These can also be generated via platforms such as Zoom and Echo 360.
  • Avoid flashing images: Do not include content that flashes, as this may trigger seizures or discomfort for some students. 
  • Use high-contrast colour combinations: Ensure there is sufficient contrast.
  • Ensure consistent formatting: Maintain a clear and consistent structure throughout your content to support ease of navigation. 
  • Add alternative text to images: Provide meaningful alt text for all images. For further guidance, refer to the Web Accessibility tutorial on images by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). You can also consult the section below on how to add alt text in your Aula space. 

Add or Edit Alternative Text in Aula

To add alternative text to an image in Aula, follow these steps:
  1. Edit the page where the image is uploaded (or upload a new image). 
  2. Hover your mouse over the image.
  3. Click the Edit alt text button. A panel will open on the left-hand side. 
  4. Enter your alt text in the box provided.
  5. Click Apply changes to confirm.
  6. Click Save at the top right of the changes. 
download.gif

 

Signposting and Language

  • Use clear, descriptive link text. Avoid vague phrases such as "Read this article".
  • Structure content logically and provide clear instructions on where, how, and when students should engage.
  • Reinforce understanding of learning objectives regularly. Break down overarching objectives into short-term goals and link them to outcomes.
  • Support students in achieving both short and long-term outcomes by providing scaffolds such as models, examples, guides, checklists, templates,, and reflection points.
  • Check student comprehension regularly and clearly signpost available support.
  • Avoid unnecessary jargon. 

Inclusion

Interaction and Engagement

  • Build a sense of community by encouraging regular interaction through posts, comments and replies in the Common room. 
  • Use discussions and group activities to support collaborative learning.
  • Ensure communication is inclusive, accessible and respectful.
  • Use a range of relevant content that reflects diverse perspectives.
  • Present content in different formats (e.g. text, video, audio) and across both live (synchronous) and self-paced (asynchronous) sessions. 
  • Reinforce key ideas at different points in the learning journey. 
  • Encourage active learning by adding discussions in Materials and setting tasks that require students to think and respond.
  • Monitor engagement and follow up with students who may need support

Feedback and Assessment

  • Clearly communicate expectations, standards, methods, and deadlines before assessments. Provide models and examples where possible.
  • Monitor student progress regularly and provide timely, constructive, and mastery-focused feedback.
  • Encourage student confidence and independence through questioning, self-assessment, and peer feedback.
  • Link feedback to short and long-term learning objectives, helping studnets understand their progress.
  • Use a range of assessment methods (e.g. group work, portfolios, presentations) to allow different ways of demonstrating learning. 

Note

These tips are derived from the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and principles. For more information, visit the CAST website to explore UDL in more detail. 

 

See Also

Related articles