Creation of Learning Content
JISC TechDis has created a number of resources designed to enable
staff to create effective, engaging and accessible learning materials
for their learners.
The JISC TechDis approach
JISC TechDis takes a holistic approach to the creation of e-learning
materials. It believes that it is inappropriate to solely apply a
series of web accessibility guidelines (e.g. W3C WAI WCAG) to
e-learning material without taking other factors into consideration;
they should not be regarded as the only set of criteria which
developers of teaching and learning materials need to consider. There
are additional factors which need to be addressed, some of which may
conflict with the W3C WAI Guidelines. Additionally, although the
guidelines are a useful starting point, following them does not
necessarily ensure that a resource is accessible to its target
audience. Within e-learning development, there is a need to place the
learner at the centre of the development process.
This approach recognises that an accessible resource for one learner
may be an inaccessible resource for another and, therefore,
'inaccessible' e-learning resources may be deployed, provided that
disabled learners are still able to demonstrate the required learning
outcomes in a way which does not disadvantage them or their
non-disabled peers. It also recognises the importance of user-testing,
as the best way to ensure that a resource achieves its objectives and
is accessible as possible is to trial it with a number of students.
Guiding principals of the JISC TechDis approach to e-learning:
- Making learning accessible is a responsibility for all.
- Using technology and delivering materials online can offer many
accessibility benefits. The sharing of resources via many of the
repositories and resources banks that are now available in UK education
can help to support many disabled students if the resources have been
designed in sensitive ways.
- Ultimately, accessibility only matters at the point of delivery,
but when we share our materials we have an extended duty to ensure that
the maximum number of learners can access the content.
- JISC TechDis recognises that, in supporting some [specific]
disabled learners, resources may be created that are explicitly
accessible to some disabled learners, but may exclude students with
other types of disabilities.
- JISC TechDis recognises that a range of issues will impact on how
guidelines and support for disabled learners and staff will continually
change. These may include the development of standards and
specifications, legislation, staff training requirements, regulatory
frameworks and technology. JISC TechDis is committed to monitoring and
reporting how these issues are impacting on the education sector.
The JISC TechDis resources have been grouped into eight
categories, which you can access by clicking a category in the
left-hand menu or below:
Users who have difficulty seeing things
Users who have difficulty hearing things
Users who have difficulty understanding things
Users who have difficulty concentrating
Users who have difficulties handling & manipulating things
Users who have difficulty communicating with others
Users who have difficulty accessing text
Users who are dyslexic
Follow this link for more information on the
Web2Access application designed under the JISC Users & Innovation: Personalising Technologies Programme.
