Category: Assignment 1 – Midterm Review – Module 1&2 Blog Posts and Comments

I’ve noticed that in digital content creation, ensuring accessibility has become more and more important. Accessibility is no longer a checkbox to mark off; it’s a fundamental aspect of inclusive design that breaks down barriers and ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can engage with (and benefit from) the content presented. Through this module, we’ve explored and learned how to integrate accessibility into the design process, recognizing its potential in creating a better online experience for all users. In this post, I will share my journey in learning how to make my designs accessible for all.

How Accessible is this Blog?

Below is a screen capture of my score from the WAVE accessibility report I ran on my first blog post. While I have added a description, it is not displayed for me when viewing this post, and this is an issue I will be looking into in the future.

Running the WAVE accessibility report was an eye-opening experience. I expected to find a few issues, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the majority of my blog was already quite accessible. Only two main issues stood out: an embedded YouTube video and a button to return to the previous post. These issues, while not severe, are still worth addressing to enhance accessibility further. The real issue I encountered was the lack of contrast in the side menu button colors, which is easily fixable.

Exploring Text-to-Speech Tools

I have experimented with Text to Speech tools before. Personally, as a visual learner, I find the voice distracting while reading. However, I do appreciate subtitles and captions on videos. Trying out different voices didn’t significantly change my experience, but I noticed that a low male voice was the least distracting, perhaps because it resembled mine and I was therefore more used to it.

What is Accessibility in Design?

I believe that accessible design essentially means ensuring everyone can engage with content regardless of ability. Inclusive design, to me, means more than compliance—it’s about empathy and understanding diverse needs. It’s about creating seamless, intuitive experiences for all users, considering differences in age, culture, ability, and technology proficiency.

One thing I’ve learned through this unit is that inclusive design benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities. It’s a collaborative effort, involving diverse perspectives throughout the design process. In the end, I believe it’s about fostering a digital environment where everyone feels valued and included. By embracing inclusive design, we create a more equitable online experience for all.

Designing an Infographic

Below is the final product of my infographic. I chose to design a graphic informing the general public on the often overlooked benefits of drinking water. This was unfortunately the highest resolution download option, and while I have added a description, it is not displayed for me when viewing this post, and this is an issue I will be looking into in the future.

Recently, I created an infographic on the benefits of drinking water using Canva. In its design, I incorporated several principles.

Proximity: I was very particular with the spacing within the boxes both with the text and the visuals.

Repetition: This document is very satisfying to look at (in my opinion) and this is partially due to the repetition. The square pattern allows the infographic to be very easy to comprehend and follow.

Alignment: Each textbox is aligned with the one above it, this creates cohesion throughout the design.

Size: All five components are equally sized to indicate equal importance, while the title is sized in a way to create impact and to convey the most important message.

Balance: The back and fourth nature of the squares creates a flow that allows the eyes of the reader to easily fall down the page in a logical manner.

These principles helped organize the information effectively and make it visually appealing. However, when creating infographics, I believe that it is crucial to consider how to ensure accessibility for learners with visual impairments. While graphic design is inherently visual, additions like alternative text description for this graphic and other accessible choices can make the content more inclusive.

How Can Infographics Stay Accessible?

To ensure that learners with visual impairments have access to the same information in infographics, here are several of the most important (in my opinion) modifications can be made:

• Alt text descriptions: Providing descriptive alt text for images and graphics allows screen readers to convey the information to visually impaired users.
  
• Text alternatives: Including text-based alternatives for visual content, such as charts or diagrams, ensures that all users can access the information.
  
• Readable fonts: Choosing clear, legible fonts and avoiding overly stylized text ensures that the content is easy to read for everyone.

In conclusion, prioritizing accessibility in website design is essential for ensuring that all users can access and engage with the content. By considering diverse needs and using inclusive design principles, we can create a more equitable online experience for everyone. As I move forward with this blog, I am keeping accessibility at the forefront of my design decisions, ensuring that everyone can enjoy and benefit from the content I share.

In the realm of educational technology, the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning serves as a guiding framework for creating effective learning materials. This blog post explains my thought process and learning through the creation of a screencast. I created an accessible presentation on one of my passions: Formula 1 racing. Whether you know a little or a lot about the sport, I hope you enjoy and learn something new. Accurate captions are provided.

Intuitive and Surprising Aspects of Multimedia Learning Principles

Personally, the Pre-Learning principle struck a chord with me. I’ve often found myself struggling when learning new content when I am not comfortable with either the basics or the necessary terminology. On the other hand, the Voice principle surprised me. I hadn’t expected a noticeable difference between a human and robotic voice in terms of facilitating learning.

Applying Principles in my Screencast

When creating my screencast, I aimed to weave in as many Cognitive Theory principles as possible. The signaling principle became my go-to, using arrows to highlight elements in real-time and aligning seamlessly with the Temporal Contiguity principle for maximum efficacy. Breaking down the complex subject of Formula 1 into digestible chunks also showed the Segmenting principle. Additionally, I used the Spatial Contiguity principle by placing labels directly beside relevant graphics.

Audience Consideration

My audience for the screencast was intentionally broad, seeking to make the content accessible to a diverse range of viewers. To keep learning levels high, I prioritized simplicity in graphics, as overly complex visuals might hinder understanding, especially for those unfamiliar with Formula 1.

Experiences and Learnings

Reflecting on past experiences, I’ve consistently followed the Segmenting principle, breaking down information into manageable sections. However, the signaling principle, which proved highly effective in the screencast, wasn’t a conscious consideration for me before. Moving forward, I would like to integrate the signaling principle more consistently, as its potential to enhance information conveyance is often-overlooked.

My exploration of the principles of Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning has provided valuable insights into intentional design for learning. Through my experience in my screencast creation, it’s clear that applying these principles not only enhances the learning experience but also broadens the accessibility of content for a diverse audience. As technology continues to shape education (both in person and online), I can now see how understanding and embracing cognitive principles can significantly contribute to the effectiveness of instructional materials.