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Incorporating universal design principles into your ELMS-Canvas-Canvas course design makes it accessible to a diverse range of learners. The following examples of online and classroom activities are based on nine (9) universal design principles and can help you to create a more accessible and inclusive learning experience for all of your students.
Principle 1: Equitable Use
The design is useful and marketable to wide and diverse abilities.
Example in the Classroom
- Ensure course content is accessible to allow equal learning opportunities
- Use assistive technologies and accommodations if necessary
Example in ELMS-Canvas-Canvas
- Ensure course is accessible to all
- Design components for low bandwidth usage
Principle 2: Flexibility in Use
The design accommodates a wide range of preferences and abilities.
Example in the Classroom
- Design activities and assignments that allow choices
- Use a variation of text, multimedia and other visual representation of content
Example in ELMS-Canvas-Canvas
- Give students choice for submission format (infographic, text, video, presentation)
- Design variation in submission format for each assignment
Principle 3: Simple and Intuitive
The design is simple and easy to understand regardless of ability.
Example in the Classroom
- Provide clear direction and expectations for assignments and activities
Example in ELMS-Canvas-Canvas
- Provide expectations through rubrics
- Provide detailed, clear directions
- Use simple course design
- Declutter front page
- Use a modular format to display and access content
Principle 4: Perceptible Information
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user regardless of ability.
Example in the Classroom
- Use video or audio recording of live lectures
- Display content in a variety of methods (presentation, audio, video, graphics)
- Share lecture notes with others
Example in ELMS-Canvas
- Provide access to lecture content ahead of time
- Provide multiple formats of content (visual, audio, video, text, graphics)
Principle 5: Tolerance for Error
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of unintended consequences.
Example in the Classroom
- Use student response systems, anonymous surveys for feedback
- Provide feedback and allow resubmission with revisions
Example in ELMS-Canvas
- Use online peer review
- Allow multiple attempts for submissions
- Enable editing of asynchronous content
Principle 6: Low Physical Effort
The design can be used effectively with minimal effort.
Example in the Classroom
- Simplify assignments and activities
- Break down assignments into multiple steps
- Use decorative content only if it adds value to the content
Example in ELMS-Canvas
- Organize content in a modular format
- Ensure minimal effort to access content
- Integrate third party tools into the online environment
- Ensure that all tools are compatible with user's hardware
Principle 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use
The design has consideration for appropriate size and space
Example in the Classroom
- Arrange teaching space for easy physical access
- Ensure room is comfortable (temperature, line of sight)
Example in ELMS-Canvas
- Arrange content for simple access
- Break up large content into smaller chunks
- Consider low bandwidth access for digital content
Principle 8: Community of Learners
The design promotes interaction and communication amongst student and instructors
Example in the Classroom
- Integrate social media tools
- Provide opportunities for peer networking
Example in ELMS-Canvas
Promote interaction with:
- Synchronous collaboration tools (Google Docs)
- Asynchronous discussion
- Student group areas
- Virtual classroom
- Video conferencing
Principle 9: Instructional Climate
Design instruction to be welcoming and inclusive. High expectations are espoused for all students.
Example in the Classroom
- Engage with students regularly
- Provide regular and timely feedback
- Maintain the same expectations for all students
Example in ELMS-Canvas
- Engage with students within the on line space
- Set same expectations for all students
- Provide easy access to the instructor
- Ensure a reasonable response time to students inquiries
Adapted from "Best practices for building Universal Design principles into your Canvas courses," Simon Fraser University