Week 4 Evaluation: Accessibility

IDL-7140

LMS Evaluation Introduction

Hello, Members of the Board,

I am here today to share the findings from this week's evaluation of D2L Brightspace and Google Classroom. The evaluation will look at what each LMS offers in Accessibility Features.

The World Wide Web Consortium makes us all aware of the importance of creating online spaces that are inclusive for all. Students who are blind or have low vision benefit from text that has a hierarchy that allows screen readers to read aloud content on Learning Management Systems. Video with captions is one example of a modification that benefits the deaf community and beyond. Equal access to web content is critical in higher education for all students and faculty (2012).

The five tools I will cover are as follows:

Modify Dropbox Assignment with Differentiated Release Conditions
Modify Quiz with Differentiated Release Conditions
Providing Alternative Learning Materials by Upload YouTube Video W/CC
Create Accessible Web Pages using the Built-In HTML Editor
LMS Reviews by Accessibility Organizations

d2l lms evaluation

Modify Dropbox Assignment with Differentiated Release Conditions

Here is how to modify D2L Dropbox assignments with differentiated release conditions:

Go to "Assessment" on the NAVBAR
Select "Dropbox"
Click on "Week #1 Dropbox
Select "Edit Folder"
Under the "Restrictions" tab, verify the dates set for all students. Make note of it.
At the bottom of the page click, "Add Users to Special Access"
Select the student you want to have special access
Click "Add Special Access" at the bottom of the page
Set the special access properties (e.g., date, time restrictions, etc.)
Click "Save and Close"

Modify Quiz with Differentiated Release Conditions

Some students may need extended time on an exam. Here is how to modify a quiz in D2L.

Go to "Assessment"
Click on "Quizzes and Exams"
Click on the quiz you want to modify
"Week #3 Quiz"
Go the the "Restrictions" tab
Make certain the "Advanced Availability" has the "Allow selected users with special access to this quiz" checked
At the bottom of the Restrictions screen is the "Special Access" area where you can add users for special access
Click "Add Users to Special Access"

9. Next, set the special access properties (e.g., date, Enforced time restrictions, etc.)

10. Scroll down the page and select the student(s) you want to have the special access

Click "Add Special Access" at the top or bottom of the page

Providing Alternative Learning Materials by Upload YouTube Video W/CC

Go to YouTube

Under "Topic" search, type in Desire 2Learn, click search
Click on "Filters" at the top, select Subtitles/CC
"Quality Check", click on cc on the lower right. Click on cc again, look at the top left corner, be sure the closed caption is not autogenerated
Find the video, go to share and select, embed, copy
"Embed" video into your Google Sites eportfolio

Create Accessible Web Pages using the Built-In HTML Editor

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C):

Go to "D2L shell" and click on Content
Create a "Module" folder, click "Add a Module" (LMS Videos)
Click on the new folder to add the new pages. Click on "New" and select "Create a File"
Give it a title (Desire2Learn YouTube Video)
In the "HTML editor", type in text to add context, hit enter
Click on "Insert Stuff" button
Click on the Enter "Embed Code", paste the code into the Embed Code box, click next
Click insert, click "Save"

D2L Demo Student Differentiated Release Conditions

LMS REVIEWS BY ACCESSIBILITY ORGANIZATIONS

Google Classroom LMS Evaluation

Modify Assignment with a Differentiated Time

In Google Classroom to make special accommodations for an assignment:

Go to the "Classwork" tab
Click on the "Assignment folder" you need to modify
Hover your mouse to the right of the assignment
Click on the three ellipses
Select "Edit"
On the right side of the page select the student(s) that need a modified due date
Under "Due" click the down arrow and adjust the time and or date
Go to the top of the page and click "Save"

Modify Quiz with a Differentiated Due Date

Go to the "Classwork" tab
Click on the "Quiz folder" you need to modify
Hover your mouse to the right of the quiz
Click on the three ellipses
Select "Edit"
On the right side of the page select the student(s) that need a modified due date
Under "Due" click the down arrow and adjust the time and or date
Go to the top of the page and click "Save"

Providing Alternative Learning Materials by Uploaded YouTube Video W/CC

Go to YouTube:

Under "Topic" search, type Google Classroom, click search
Click on Filters at the top, select "Subtitles/CC"
Quality Check, click on cc on the lower right. Click on cc again, look at the top left corner, be sure the closed caption is not autogenerated
Find the video, go to share and select embed, copy
"Embed" video into your Google Sites eportfolio

Create Accessible Web Pages using the Built-In HTML Editor

Under "Classwork", click Create
Select "Material"
Give a name to the Material Assignment
Write a description in the rectangle
Under Add, click YouTube
Copy the intended URL from YouTube
Paste the YouTube URL, click add
Then click "Post" (upper right side)

LMS Reviews by Accessibility Organizations

Student View of Google Classroom Material Assignment

Recommendation

This week D2L Brightspace was easier to set up for the accessibility features. I was able to embed the YouTube video into the LMS. The HTML editor worked seamlessly. The HTML feature assists screen readers by offering consistent styles. Google Classroom does not offer the HTML editor at this time. Instead, I copy and pasted the YouTube URL.

Both systems worked well with modifying assignment dates and conditions.

This week Desire2Learn edges out Google Classroom. Although Google Classroom was easier to set up, I found the Desire2Learn to have more intentionality in design. The HTML editor tool availability in D2L makes this LMS more in line with the standards expected in W3C.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse