Fortunately for us, Canvas just added Ally accessibility checker to all Canvas courses.

"Ally works supplementary with Canvas to gauge additional accessibility conditions of course content. Additionally, it provides guidance and tips for lasting improvements to a content to comply with accessibility standards."

Training is available, check the weekly calendar for a class that works for you.

👩‍🏫 🤩

Install grammarly on your browser and you will not regret it! It will make you more efficient when writing on web-based documents including email and Canvas. I use grammarly to catch typos and mistakes when making a course.

📇

Bitmoji - illustrated avatar

Emojipedia - emojis and symbols to spice up a course

Screencast-o-matic - use to record lectures &tutorials

Unsplash - high res, free-to-use images

Giphy - use giphs just like a jpg

👩‍🏫

Check out my Demo page for some inspiration!

Have something else in mind, but not sure where to start? I recommend a small pilot. That way you can get used to the tech AND get feedback from the students.

👩‍🏫

Here are some vetted twitter handles to follow. Oh but first, follow me @LucyWolski

Then, if you haven't already, follow TimesHigherEducation - @timeshighered and @EdTech_HigherEd for news, and follow one of my Instructional Design idol, Steven R. Crawford - @DrSRCrawford

🤩

ASU has an Instruction by Design podcast with well researched hosts from ASU's Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. It's very academic and well produced... and full of great ideas. https://teachonline.asu.edu/podcasts/

🤩

This might not be for everyone, but is essential for my productivity. Turn off desktop alerts for new emails. I never get any work done when my computer dings at me, so I opt to turn off the notifications, and check my email every few hours or so when I am done working on projects.

📇

For your online course component, consider adding your profile pic to to instantly add your presence to Canvas classes.

Make a robust "meet the instructor" page with a picture, a video, and a written bio.

There are many other ways, including virtual office hours, quality announcements, and video feedback.

👩‍🏫 🤩

I like to find inspiration outside of higher ed. Here are some of my favorite muses.

Christine McConnell never went to college, but she is a self taught, macabre, artistic genius with video walk-throughs.

The Try Guys did go to college, and then made videos about trying and often failing.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs on Netflix has nothing to do with anything but I love it and I've watched it at least 20 times.

🤩

LinkedIn Learning - learn from experts

Skillshare - classes on almost everything

Masterclass - high quality and celebrity experts

📇 👩‍🏫