Designing for Online Accessibility

This micro-course will help you ensure that each of your students gets the maximum benefit from the digital resources you use to teach your online courses. Remember that many accessibility challenges are the same in physical and online learning environments. But they are addressed differently. As you work your way through this micro-course, keep each of your students in mind, particularly those with specific disabilities. One of the most important benefits of designing for online accessibility is that adjustments made to meet the needs of individual students will ultimately benefit all students.

Participants will work through the digital content in Buzz at their own pace within a suggested timeframe. Your course facilitator will be available for questions asynchronously. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect via Zoom for live forum discussions during every stage of their innovation cycle. These forums will be guided by your course facilitator. Keep reading for more info about schedule and forums!

Learning Targets: Participants will...

• Implement one key element of student-centered online or blended learning over a 6-8 week innovation cycle around the stages of the ADDIE Model (Analyze, Design/Develop, Implement and Evaluate)
• Create your own checklist for online accessibility and use it to identify opportunities for improving equitable access.
  
• Create one document and one video that meet accessibility guidelines.

Facilitator: Lynn Sessler Neitzel (WVS Teacher Consultant and WDLC Facilitator)

Cost: Free, the cost of this micro course is being subsidized by the Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC).

This is a lightly facilitated professional learning opportunity. Participants will be enrolled in and have access to digital content in the Buzz learning management system. This content will guide them through the stages of the innovation cycle using the ADDIE Model. At each stage, participants can attend opt-in forums with colleagues for further collaboration and conversation about the course and their progress.

ADDIE MODEL:

• Analyze — Clarify your objectives and path forward
• Design/Develop — Draft your implementation plan
• Implement — Put your design into practice
• Evaluate/Celebrate — Examine your results and make improvements

Participants who complete all requirements will be issued a badge in Buzz. A certificate of completion can be issued upon request.

Access to the digital content begins on: Thursday, January 13, 2022

Analyze Forum #1: Thursday, January 20 (7am or 7pm CST)

Design Forum #2: Tuesday, Feb 1 (7am or 7pm CST)

Implement Forum #3: Thursday, Feb 10 (7am or 7pm CST)

Evaluate (Celebrate) Forum #4: Monday, Feb 21 (7am or 7pm CST)

Access to the digital content ends on: Monday, February 28, 2022

The National Standards for Quality Online Learning is an ongoing project to continuously revise the National Standards for Quality Online Courses, Programs and Teaching led by a partnership between Quality Matters, the Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance, and the Digital Learning Collaborative with widespread community support.

This professional learning opportunity directly connects to the following National Standards for Quality Online Teaching:

A2) The online teacher is a reflective practitioner.

B2) The online teacher incorporates discipline-specific technologies, tools, and resources to meet individualized learner needs.

F5) The online teacher recommends assistive technologies where appropriate to meet mandated needs and address learner preferences.

F6) The online teacher provides additional opportunities for personalized learner growth or enrichment.

All micro course forums connected to the ADDIE model will take place via Zoom meeting. All registered and enrolled participants will receive a Google calendar invite that includes the Zoom link to join, norms, and focus of that forum session.

Resource to support you in having a successful experience via Zoom:

• Video Conferencing Norms for Educators
• Test your device audio and video
• Zoom getting started, frequently asked questions and technology support

Have you joined the WDLC Educators and Program Support Network Google Currents Community? We can use that space to connect, support each other and share best practices and resources between our zoom forum opportunities during the innovation cycle and stages of the ADDIE Model. If your district allows access to Google Currents and you have activated that access you can click on this link and request to join the community. We look forward to the continued collaboration and support.

As a statewide collaborative effort, WDLC shares knowledge and resources with K-12 schools, districts, and agencies who want to start or improve their online and blended learning practice. WDLC offers quality planning strategies, connections to implementation solutions, and peer-led learning opportunities that empower schools and districts to meet a wide array of learner needs for choice, flexibility, and instructional support.

Stay up to date on upcoming events and resources by signing at the bottom of the WDLC home page.

Email: wiwdlc@gmail.com
Website: https://www.wiwdlc.org/
Phone: 715-453-1953
Twitter: @wiwdlc