The University has enabled a Canvas feature called Ally in all Fall courses. The tool helps support our goals of equity and inclusion, improving course accessibility and usability. With Ally, students are able to download alternative accessible file formats such as HTML, Audio, and Electronic Braille. Providing students with more accessible content allows students to choose the format that works best for them, improving student success. Ally also provides faculty with detailed feedback and resources. Through Ally, instructors can learn more about accessibility issues, why accessibility matters, and how to manage issues as they arise. In addition, Ally provides guidance and tips for continual improvements to course accessibility.
This session provides an overview of the features available with Anthology Ally, exploring:
- on-demand student alternative format download options,
- faculty accessibility tools, and
- course accessibility scores.
As you begin to review your courses, the eLDIG team is available for consultations to help remediate existing course content and improve accessibility. This session is designed for instructors and staff who support Canvas courses.
RESOURCES:
REPORTS AND ALTERNATIVE FORMATS:
REMEDIATE CONTENT:
In this session we give out an array of inclusive classroom treats that can be shared with your students to help everyone feel a greater sense of belonging. You will leave the session with a variety of tools you can implement right away!
Helpful Resources
- Welcome Statement Sample: https://pennstateoffice365.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/eLDIGCourses/EQTUCvYohEFFv7JHJwxdqUMBIXks2EpNLBzl-f06A-GTUg?e=D2ciTR
- Who’s In Class Form: whos_in_class_form.pdf
- Diverse Image Repositories: https://canweallgo.com/plus-size-stock-photos/plus-size-stock-photos-office-work-employment/
- Adding Pronouns to Canvas: https://pennstate.service-now.com/sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0016421
- Adding Pronouns to Zoom: https://pennstate.service-now.com/sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0016426
- WeConnect Cards App: https://weconnectcards.com
- Microaffirmations: This resource (https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/16/12/accentuate-positive) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education
- UDL – Aligned Strategies: https://goalbookapp.com/toolkit/v/strategies
- eLDIG accessibility presentation: https://eldig.psu.edu/accessibility-tips-for-everyday-instructors/
- Send a Letter to Future You: https://www.futureme.org/
In this session especially designed for instructors and staff who support courses, the eLDIG team shared some strategies to improve the accessibility of your course(s).
Link to Session Slides
Accessible Smeal-Branded PowerPoint Templates
Penn State will be moving to “New Quizzes” that can be used in your live courses beginning in 2023, with a plan to sunset the Class Quiz Engine in 2024. Come hear about New Quizzes and how the new quiz engine compares to classic quizzes. We will also discuss some considerations, tips, and strategies for planning your migration to the new quiz engine.
Helpful Resources
Join Jamie Campbell and Olivia Lewis from Smeal’s Office of Diversity Enhancement Programs as they share tips and strategies to make our classes more inclusive for Smeal’s diverse student body. We will discuss 5 specific things everyone can do to promote a feeling of belonging in our classrooms.
“HOW-TO” RESOURCES:
- Displaying your pronouns on Zoom (Please note that you are asked in every meeting whether or not you want to share your pronouns, so you can choose when/whether to share).
- Adding your pronouns in Canvas
GENERAL RESOURCES AND TOOLS THAT FOSTER DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION :
- Link to Inclusive Practices infographic
- Flipgrid: Could be used to ask students to record themselves pronouncing their names or sharing introductory videos.
- 2 Words To Foster Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion: Video that talks about the power of two little words: “for me” and “for you” in acknowledging others’ experiences
PHOTO RESOURCES THAT FOSTER DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:
Remove barriers, meet diverse audience needs, and make your course materials better! Learn some quick time-saving tips to help you make your Word docs and Canvas courses accessible.
Some Helpful Resources:
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- Accessibility at PSU
- Microsoft Word and Accessibility
- Canvas and Accessibility
- Optimizing Links for Accessibility
- Optimizing Images for Accessibility
- Using Headings for Accessibility
- Optimizing Tables for Accessibility
- Canvas Math Editor and Accessibility
- Accessibility Checker for Microsoft Office
- UDOIT Accessibility Checker for Canvas
Not all students will be able to return to campus this Fall. Will you be teaching students both in the classroom and online? This session, which was held on June 24, 2021, shared some best practices to ensure a great learning experience for all students (while keeping things manageable for you).
Some Helpful Resources: