Using Stile with visually impaired students

Stile lessons can be customised to optimise accessibility for visually impaired students.

Note: Stile can be used by screen readers for students who are visually impaired. A screen reader is a software application that converts digital text into synthesized speech.

All lessons are constructed using a range of multi-modal elements, some of which are fully accessible and can be used with a screen reader and some of which are not:

 

Fully Accessible 

 Not fully accessible
  • Image
  • Share File
  • Written Response
  • Multiple choice
  • True or false
  • Audio
  
  • Table
  
  • Student upload
  
  • Live poll
  
  • Live Brainstorm
  
  • Open Response 
  

 

For elements of Stile lessons that are not fully accessible we have suggested modifications that you can make to lessons below.

 

Video

Currently, there are no transcripts available for videos in Stile, therefore a screen reader can’t be used with this widget. 

Modification:

The student can listen to the video.

 

Mind map

The mind map isn’t compatible with a screen reader.

Modification:

  • Replace the question with a live poll or the brainstorm widget 

 

Graph

As graphs are a visual representation of data they are not completely accessible to visually impaired students.

Modifications:

  • Replace the graph with a table and tabulate the data.
  • Use the caption to add alternative text* to describe the information being relayed in the graph:

(*Alternative text is often used by visually disabled users with screen reading software, where the description of an image is read to the user in place of the image.)

Screen_Shot_2019-04-24_at_10.12.22_am.png

 

Simulations

Simulations are primarily visual interactives. Consider the intention of the simulation and replace with an accessible question type.

The following simulation appears in the Stile unit Introduction to Science, the lesson: 2.3 Lesson: Using a Bunsen Burner:

This simulation tackles the learning goal Describe and explain the safety rules for using a Bunsen Burner and is intended to explore and consolidate the student's understanding.

Modifications:

  • Use a multiple choice question to select the correct order of steps that occur
  • Break the steps down into a series of true/false statements
  • Break the steps down into a series of multiple choice questions in which students have to select the correct key word to complete the sentence. 

 

Interactive Canvas

Interactive canvas' are not compatible with screen readers.

Below are two ways they can be used and modified.

Example 1: Drag and drop activity

This question is addressing the learning goal Explore what some different scientists do. It allows the student to demonstrate and extend their understanding of a concept:

 Modification:

  •  The activity can be broken down into a series of true/false statements that tackle the learning goal. 

Example 2: Cloze exercise/Definitions

The learning goal being tackled in this activity is Describe what science is and it allows students to demonstrate their understanding. 

canvas.png

Modification:

  • The steps can be broken down into a series of multiple choice questions in which students have to select the correct statements (as demonstrated above).