Conference Presentations

Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE) (December 2024)

Co-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

It's [Not] for the Birds: Using Grackle to Generate Accessible Google Documents (Google Slides)

Slides Handout: Google Slides (Google Slides)

Grackle Suite (Google Docs)

Summary

By default, there is no accessibility checker in Google Workspace, but many educators and coaches do not realize that there is an external tool that can help identify accessibility errors and guide document remediation. Grackle Docs allows educators to evaluate Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets for digital accessibility compliance.

Presented for Genially at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) (June 2024)

Co-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful, Accessible Genially (Genially Assets in Cloud Storage) 

Summary

This presentation provided practical guidelines for creating WCAG-compliant and accessible digital content, specifically focusing on common design tools. Key takeaways covered optimizing readability by using simple fonts and ensuring a 4.5:1 minimum color contrast ratio, while also detailing essential practices for screen readers. These practices include utilizing proper structural formatting (headings/lists), writing concise Alt Text for images, and reordering elements via Designer Mode for a logical reading flow.

Presented for Genially at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) (June 2024)

Co-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

Genially Goes to College: Use Cases for Higher Ed (Genially Assets in Cloud Storage) 

Summary

When many technology users think of Genially, they often think of k12 environments.  However, Genially may be easily used in higher education settings. With the updated accessibility features and the help of an instructional technologist, users may create Geniallys that meet required web accessibility standards while engaging higher education students.  Genially allows for the creation of sleek, formal interactive infographics, knowledge checks, and gamification that may be used for both synchronous and asynchronous higher education settings.

Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT) 100: Reflections and Transformations (October 2023)

C0-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

Dungeons & [Accessibility] Dragons: Using Gamification to Build Empathy (Google Site) 

Summary

When considering current instructional design and technology practices, there is a great need for transformative practices that encourage reviewing who has been considered the learner (historically) and building empathy for all learners, not just the most convenient ones. Through gamification and tabletop role-playing games, which increases engagement, abilities, and retention of information, instructional designers, technologists, and subject matter experts (SMEs) experience how disabled students interact with inaccessible digital content, which will transform design practices.

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Live 2023 (June 2023)

C0-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

A11y to the Rescue: A Villainous Escape Room (Google Slides) 

Digital Accessibility: Interactive Session (Google Site)

Summary

Many are aware of the importance of digital accessibility. Most do not realize the digital barriers that disabled individuals still encounter. Through the escape room, individuals reconcile with the experiences of disabled individuals, which brings more empathy and awareness to the importance of always generating accessible digital content.

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Live 2023 (June 2023)

C0-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

I’m [Not] Gonna Wreck It! Developing Effective Asynchronous Professional Development (Google Site)

Summary

Building professional development is challenging. Participants must be provided with adequate information, clear examples presented in plain language, and practical exercises to ensure success and retention of knowledge. It is imperative to not overwhelm participants. Digital professional development must consider the audience, delivery method, engagement, and interactive activities.

2023 Innovative Educator Summit (March 2023)

Hawkes Learning

C0-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

A Wolf in Sheets Clothing: Accessible Spreadsheets (Google Slides) 

A Wolf in Sheets Clothing: Accessible Spreadsheets Recording (Hawkes Learning YouTube) 

Summary

While many accessibility concepts carry across all digital documents, spreadsheets have their own requirements. In addition to things like contrast and font selection, there are several additional steps that must be taken to ensure that your spreadsheets are accessible to those who have limited mobility, have low or no vision, or use assistive technologies. A disabled user cannot understand the story your data tells if you do not ensure your spreadsheet is accessible. This presentation will discuss techniques that will help make most spreadsheets accessible.

Recipes for Success (February 2023)

Virtual Virginia

C0-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

Be Our Guest! Put Our Digital Accessibility Recipes to the Test (Google Slides) 

Summary

Good pedagogy and course development keep accessibility in mind from the inception of course materials. From the language someone uses, to developing an inclusive environment, and forming bonds with others to help hold each other accountable when it comes to developing accessible materials, these key pieces generate an inclusive, accessible learning environment.

When you start thinking about accessibility, it is not about disability at all.  Accessibility is about ability and making things easier for everyone. Digital accessibility impacts individuals who have visibility, mobility, audibility, or cognition-based disability.  Disabilities are not always permanent in nature; they are also situational or temporary.

While conceptualizing every aspect of digital accessibility is difficult, many people do not realize that they can already tell if something is inaccessible. Lack of color contrast, incomplete closed captions, and difficult-to-understand audio are things that everyone recognizes are an issue but may not realize are related to digital accessibility.

Finally, there is a common misconception that accessible documents must be boring (e.g., white background with black font). The reality is, a fully accessible document may be just as visually appealing as an inaccessible document. An individual just has to commit to learning how to build an accessible document.

GSOLE 2023 Annual Conference "Visions and Sites of Online Literacy Education"(February 2023)

Global Society of Online Literacy Educators (GSOLE)

C0-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

Dig a Little Deeper: The Future of Online Learning Without Inaccessible PDFs Recording (YouTube) 

Dig a Little Deeper: The Future of Online Learning Without Inaccessible PDFs (Google Slides) 

Summary

Many educators use PDFs in their courses, but most have not considered the accessibility implications when using them. The reality is most PDFs that are posted to a digital learning platform are inaccessible or are utilized inappropriately. While PDFs have their place, classroom use rarely meets the justification standards. PDFs should be reserved for times when precise formatting is required, non-standard fonts or special characters are in the documents, complex formulas and equations, and large documents (e.g., a handbook). Many instructors think that they are doing the best for their students when they create PDFs, but they are, inadvertently, making their course content inaccessible.  Many students with disabilities gravitate to online learning as they are often not required to disclose their status with their peers; however, this means that generating accessible PDFs is critical for their success. This poster session will review when PDFs should be used and alternatives to PDFs.

Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE) (December 2022) 

C0-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

Innovation Station Session: Neptune's Fury: Seas the Day! (Google Site) 

Summary

Can you escape King Neptune's fury? Players take the roles of a team of tourists to solve a thrilling mystery. Working together with old (or new!) friends, escape King Neptune's fury in this cooperative escape room board game. Can you solve the mystery and save the beach excursion?

This escape game is built with puzzles that replicate inaccessible course content. In teams of three, battle against King Neptune while experiencing many of the same obstacles that students with learning disabilities encounter in classrooms. Will you and your teammates successfully solve the puzzles for a relaxing seaside vacation or will you succumb to Neptune’s Fury with storms and pirates ruining the adventure?

Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE) (December 2022) 

C0-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

POUR Unfortunate Souls: Digital Accessibility Standards (Google Slides)

Summary

Accessibility is an imperative element of any course content design, but it is often an afterthought rather than at the forefront of course creation. It is much easier to design an accessible course than it is to retroactively make a course accessible. World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) uses the acronym POUR to guide users in their creation of accessible content - Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. This presentation will share an overview for creating digital course content to meet accessibility standards. 

OCALIONLINE 2022 (November 2022)

OCALI

C0-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

Can You Tell Me How to Get...How to Get to Digital Accessibility Street? (Google Slides)

Summary

Building professional development on digital accessibility for a general audience is a challenge. It is important to understand that a general audience must be provided with adequate information, clear examples presented in plain language, and tangible, practical exercises to ensure success and retention of knowledge. Consequently, it is imperative to not overwhelm participants in order for the workshop to be successful. This presentation will review how we built our Accessibility Workshop, the practical lessons learned, and what we would like to revise in future iterations of the workshop.

Hawkes Learning Blog

Co-Developer: Chrystal Trapani

Tiny Hawk: Small Changes Make a Big Impact (Hawkes Learning Blog Website)

Summary

Our blog article focused on beginning the journey of creating digitally accessible content. The goal was to make digital accessibility approachable and not daunting by focusing on two small changes that can make a big impact: color contrast and font selection.

Accessibility Summer Camp (June 2022)

Wichita State University, Kansas

Co-Developer: Chrystal Trapani

Co-Presenters: Jenna Ashley, Sarah Camp, and Chrystal Trapani

Avoid it Like the Plague: PDFs and Why You Should (Nearly) Never Use Them (Google Slides)

Summary

Many educators use PDFs in their courses, but most have not considered the accessibility implications when using them. The reality is most PDFs that are posted to a digital learning platform are inaccessible. While PDFs have their place, classroom use is rarely it.  This workshop will review why PDFs should not be used in a classroom setting, how to remediate PDF content, and how to check for PDF accessibility.

Faculty Summer Conference (May 2022)

The Center for Learning and Teaching (CLT)

Can't Touch This: The Limitations of Canvas' Accessibility Checker (Google Slides)

Presentation Recording: Can't Touch This: The Limitations of Canvas' Accessibility Checker Recording (YouTube)

Co-Developer: Chrystal Trapani

Co-Presenters: Jenna Ashley and Chrystal Trapani

Summary

The transition from Blackboard to Canvas brought a new tool in the Accessibility Checker.  While this tool helps faculty ensure that their course content is more accessible, there are limitations. This presentation will review why it is important to ensure your course content is accessible and accessibility basics. The functionality of the Rich Content Editor (RCE) and Accessibility Checker will be reviewed. While Canvas's tool analyzes far more data than Blackboard's tool, there are items that it cannot access. A brief overview of when it is appropriate to use a PDF in an educational setting will be supported by a conversation concerning, transitioning to a different file type, and tools available to assess and remediating Microsoft and Google for Education products.

Faculty Summer Conference (May 2022)

The Center for Learning and Teaching (CLT)

Tainted Love: Blackboard vs Canvas (Google Slides)

Tainted Love: Blackboard vs Canvas (Google Site)

Presentation Recording: Tainted Love: Blackboard vs Canvas (YouTube) 

Co-Developer: Chrystal Trapani

Co-Presenters: Jenna Ashley and Chrystal Trapani

Summary

The transition from Blackboard to Canvas has created a gamut of emotions. Some faculty are excited, but others are not happy. “But I love Blackboard!,” some have said. The relationship with Blackboard is the one that all of your friends have been telling you to leave, and you finally have! Canvas is the new friend that has arrived to embrace you with no judgment. This presentation will evaluate the differences between Blackboard Learn and Canvas and introduce you to how you can complete the same tasks in Canvas that you could in Blackboard Learn (and often in an easier, more efficient way).

Faculty Summer Conference (May 2022)

The Center for Learning and Teaching (CLT)

We Don't Talk About Classic Quizzes: Why New Quizzes are Superior to Classic Quizzes (Google Slides)

Presentation Recording: We Don't Talk About Classic Quizzes: Why New Quizzes are Superior to Classic Quizzes (YouTube)

Co-Developer: Chrystal Trapani

Co-Presenters: Jenna Ashley and Chrystal Trapani

Summary

With the imminent sunsetting of Canvas Classic Quizzes, instructors have been encouraged to start with New Quizzes - but why? This session will discuss the superior functionality of new quizzes, the benefits of using them, and the wealth of data they can provide instructors.

5-part series for Hawkes Learning

Mysteries of Accessibility: Creating Accessible Course Content (Hawkes Learning)

Co-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

Summary

Accessibility has always been a critical piece of course design; however, the transition to online and remote learning has many instructors grappling with making their course material accessible to a wider audience. Once a document is published online, such as to a Learning Management System (LMS), it must meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Section 508 standards.

Individuals often feel that accessible content is difficult to create and must have a sterile appearance, but this is not the case. If accessibility is considered from inception instead of being an afterthought, creating accessible content becomes part of the process. Course content may be adjusted after it is created to make it accessible, but it is much more time-efficient to ensure it is accessible during course production.

Hawkes Learning (November 2021)

Mysteries of Accessibility: Using Color and Composing Alt Text (Google Slides)

Presentation Recording: Using Color and Composing Alt Text (Hawkes Learning YouTube)

Supplemental Materials: Using Color and Composing Alt Text (Google Drive)

Summary

Often when faculty hear “accessible content,” the first thing that comes to mind is boring—no pictures or colors. Content may be colorful and exciting and still meet accessibility guidelines. Careful consideration of a color palette at the inception of course production allows for finished products that are visually inviting and accessible. Images are easily transitioned into an item that will delight your typically-abled students while ensuring the success of your students with learning differences.

Hawkes Learning (December 2021)

Mysteries of Accessibility: Constructing and Using Tables (Google Slides)

Presentation Recording: Constructing and Using Tables (Hawkes Learning YouTube)

Supplemental Materials: Constructing and Using Tables (Google Drive)

Summary

Are you using tables properly when considering accessibility? Did you know you should not use tables for layout purposes? Constructing accessible tables in Microsoft and Google products can be difficult; however, with the right features and tools, you can make tables that will help all of your students achieve the desired learning outcomes.

Hawkes Learning (December 2021)

Mysteries of Accessibility: Composing with Microsoft Word and Google Docs (Google Slides)

Presentation Recording: Composing with Microsoft Word and Google Docs Presentation Recording (Hawkes Learning YouTube)

Supplemental Materials: Composing with Microsoft Word and Google Docs (Google Drive)

Summary

Most instructors create course content in a word processing program. Making a Microsoft Word or Google Doc accessible will help you create clear, concise course content. Items may be visually interesting and meet accessibility standards. Font and color choices, outlines and headers, and other formatting standards must be considered when drafting an accessible document. Finally, learning to use an accessibility checker becomes part of the proofreading process.

Hawkes Learning (December 2021)

Mysteries of Accessibility: Designing Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides (Google Slides)

Presentation Recording: Designing Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides (Hawkes Learning YouTube)

Supplemental Material: Designing Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides (Google Drive)

Summary

If you are providing a slide deck to your students, it is important to make sure it meets accessibility standards. You must make sure you set a reading order for the elements on your slides. Many of the items that make a slide deck accessible also help your typically-abled students succeed in your course. Finally, learning to use an accessibility checker becomes part of the proofreading process.

Hawkes Learning (December 2021)

Mysteries of Accessibility: Recording Audio and Video (Google Slides)

Presentation Recording: Recording Audio and Video (Hawkes Learning YouTube)

Supplemental Materials: Recording Audio and Video (Google Drive)

Summary

More instructors are recording their lectures than ever before. Did you know there are things you can do in your recordings to help your students be successful? Do you know when you need a transcript vs a SRT (or what a SRT is)? Learn tips and tricks your recordings can include to help students. After all, most students rely on things that are required for accessibility standards even if they are typically-abled.

Hawkes Learning (October 2020)

Using Zoom to Engage Your Students (Google Slides)

Using Zoom to Engage Your Students Presentation Recording (Hawkes Learning YouTube)

Co-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

Summary

The transition to online learning has many relying on Zoom. There are strategies you may employ to engage students. Using the whiteboard, screen annotation, polling, chat, and breakout sessions allow you to replicate many face-to-face, synchronous experiences. Learn to leverage these engagement tools within Zoom to capture your students' attention and facilitate mastery of course concepts.

Learning and Growing (September 2021)

Hawkes Learning

Rise and Shine: Using Wakelet to Promote Student Interaction and Collaboration (Wakelet)

Presentation Recording: Rise and Shine: Using Wakelet to Promote Student Interaction and Collaboration (Hawkes Learning YouTube)

Example Wakelet: ODU Resources for Students (Wakelet)

C0-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

Summary

Engaging students in a digital environment does not have to be limited to word processing workspaces. Wakelet is a content curation platform that allows for the gathering, curation, and presentation of a concept as a digital pinboard. A Wakelet may hold links, social media posts, videos, documents, and original content as a collection for private or public presentation.

Hawkes Learning (August 2020)

Producing POUR Products: Does Your Digital Course Content Meet Accessibility Standards? (Google Slides)

Presentation Recording: Producing POUR Products: Does Your Digital Course Content Meet Accessibility Standards? (Hawkes Learning YouTube)

Co-Developer and Co-Presenter: Chrystal Trapani

Summary

Accessibility is an imperative element of any course content design, but it is often an afterthought rather than at the forefront of course creation. It is much easier to design an accessible course than it is to retroactively make a course accessible. World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) uses the acronym POUR to guide users in their creation of accessible content -- Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. This presentation will share an overview for creating digital course content to meet accessibility standards.