TOT: Teaching Online Training

Image with text stating: Module 6: Copyright / ADA

In this module, we'll review what copyright is and how it impacts the online environment. We'll also examine ADA guidelines and how to implement ADA-centered practices in an online course.

4 hrs. average time, 3 readings, 1 activity

BENEFITS

Review federal guidelines on Copyright and ADA compliance practices.
Identify how the TEACH Act and ADA Act impacts online courses.
Recall previous work developed in this training.
Apply strategies to course content materials to make them ADA compliant.

OVERVIEW

Are there regulations to using materials in online courses? Can I place copyrighted material into my online class? Do I need to make any adjustments to my course content to ensure all learners can access my course information? This module will cover federal guidelines for course content materials and ways to design your course for increased accessibility and learner inclusion.

THE TWO "ACTS" TO FOLLOW

There are two Federal Acts that are important to follow when teaching an online course: the TEACH Act and the ADA Act. These Acts specifically cover policies and procedures that instructors must abide by when teaching online courses. The TEACH Act addresses copyright and instructional policies while the ADA Act illustrates accessibility guidelines. Learn more about the specificities of these acts and what your responsibility is, as an instructor in the online environment.

Image with text stating: "Fair Use" means 1. Small portion of original materials used, 2. New work is critique, satire, or education. 3) Commercial value of original is not diminished. 4. New work is predominantly original product of user. 5. Benefit to user is predominantly other than commercial.

TEACH ACT

The TEACH Act, under Section 110 of the Copyright law, outlines provisions for instructors teaching on online courses. The TEACH Act allows instructors, in some instances, to use materials that are copyrighted. Although copyright law generally treats digital and nondigital copyright-protected works in a similar manner, special digital uses, such as online distance learning and course management systems, have certain added requirements. Some of the special copyright requirements of online distance learning are specifically addressed by the TEACH Act.The following list indicates various obligations that must be met by an instructor to use copyrighted materials:

used under your supervision
part of the class session
part of instructional activities
directly related to teaching content
limited amount of enrolled students
must not include the transmission of textbook materials that would be purchased by students
statement informing students of copyright policies
added protection of copyright materials like print-disabling or cut/paste disabling

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

According to the ADA National Center, the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990, under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, ensures that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The Act states that all individuals should have equal accessibility and this includes online instructional opportunities. ADA requires that all online courses be fully compliant from the very start of a course, which can be challenging. However, as instructors, it is our responsibility to develop ADA-compliant courses. Below are some areas that are important for creating accessible courses and demonstrating due diligence:

hyperlinks
text design
images/graphics
audio/video items
documents (Word doc/PDF)

These five (5) areas are important to developing compliant online courses. Our "Readings" section contains several documents that address both copyright and accessibility strategies for online courses, including how to build course material with the five (5) ADA areas, listed above, in mind. Please review each of the readings and refer back to them, as needed, while developing your online course content and materials. For more info, check out this resource on ADA Compliance.

Image with four tiles showing icons. The first icon is of a person in a wheel-chair, the second is a person using a walking stick, the second is two people shaking hands, and the last icon is an ear. These icons are meant to represent individuals who may have specific disabilities.

READINGS

ADA COMPLIANCE FOR ONLINE COURSE DESIGN [webpage]

This helpful online resource provides a number of tips and resources to be aware of when developing content for an online course.

WEB CONTENT ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES (WCAG) 2.0 [webpage]

This resource offers step-by-step guidance in developing areas of an online course to address ADA accessibility requirements.

This web page contains a helpful organizational flow-chart for instructors to assess what constitutes copyright and what resides under the TEACH Act.

ISSUES WITH COPYRIGHT IN ONLINE TEACHING [webpage]

Viewing copyright from the perspective of an online instructor, this article offers helpful insights into the in's and out's of developing a course with copyrighted materials and videos.

ACTIVITY

MODULE 6 ACTIVITY: ADA COMPLIANCE