How to make a course WCAG compliant

How to make a course WCAG compliant

Do you need to make your elearning course accessible and not sure where to start? Here are some guidelines that will help you get you started.

The official website http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20 is very thorough and needs to act as your final benchmark. The website http://webaim.org/standards/wcag checklist is a fantastic resource that contains a checklist for implementing the WCAG principles and techniques for categories A, AA and AAA. This tool can be used as a simple guide to ensure you cover all components.

Some tips for what you need to do in Articulate Storyline to get a start on your WCAG compliant course:

1) Add Alternative Tags to all images and buttons or content that cannot be read with a screen reader. To do this:

a) right click your image and select Image Size and Position
b) select Alternative Text
c) Describe your image/content

Alt text

2) Make any shapes or background that is not relevant to the content hidden from the screen reader. Do this the same way you would add an Alt tab, but uncheck the box that says “Object is visible to accessibility tools”

3) Include a transcript in the notes section, or in a closed captioning box (more on this later) for any audio track or media file included in the slide. To do this, click on the notes section at the bottom of your slide and paste in any relevant text.

4) When including any links, make sure the colour contrast is 3:1. This website has a helpful contrast checking tool http://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker

To do this:

a) click on the image and select format
b) Select shape fill
c) Go to more fill colours and choose the eyedropper
d) Then click on your colour to determine the html number
e) Put this into the contrast checker website along with the other colour you are checking.

Fill Colours

5) Text and images must have a contrast ratio of 4:5:1. Again, use http://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker

6) Each paragraph of text has specific guidelines:

a) Must not be over 80 characters in length
b) Have adequate spacing between lines
c) Must not be fully justified

7) Keyboard must be used for all navigation control. Check this works by tabbing through the articulate course once it is published. If the learner will be using JAWS, you can find a list of JAWS keyboard shortcuts at: http://www.freedomscientific.com/doccenter/archives/training/JAWSKeystrokes.htm

These are a few tips that should get you started. For a comprehensive overview, see http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20

Text Box Font Sizes and Alignment

Text Box Font Sizes and Alignment

Have you ever been frustrated trying to align text size within a textbox in Articulate Storyline? Well the default setting when you create a textbox is to automatically adjust the text size to fit the textbox you create. To stop this from happening all you have to do is change the textbox to not auto-resize.

Simply follow the instructions below:
1) Right click on the textbox
2) Select Format Shape
3) Click textbox in the menu on the left
4) Under Autofit, click Do not Autofit
5) Click Close

You can make the settings, then copy and paste or multi-select boxes and then make the settings.

Format Shape

Getting started with e-Learning

Getting started with e-Learning

eLearning is the use of technology to enable people to learn anytime and anywhere. eLearning can include training, the delivery of just-in-time information and guidance from experts

eLearning can occur in or out of the classroom. It can be self-paced, asynchronous learning or may be instructor-led, synchronous learning. eLearning is suited to distance learning and flexible learning, but it can also be used in conjunction with face-to-face teaching, in which case the term blended learning is commonly used.

No matter how big your organization is, eLearning is a great way to manage your staff training while saving you money. Whether you need help with learning an authoring tool, or would just like a demonstration of a Learning Management System, Lingel Learning can set you up for success.

 

What do you need to get started with Online Training

 

Step 1 – Selecting an authoring tool

In order to create eLearning courses the first thing you need is an authoring tool such as Articulate Storyline. There are many tools on the market, some are standalone tools specifically designed to make it easier to create interactive courses. Others require authoring courses in PowerPoint, then uploading and publishing the courses using the authoring tool.

Selecting the right tool is important, let Lingel Learning help you choose the right authoring tool for your eLearning requirements.

 

Step 2 – Creating an eLearning course

No matter what authoring tool you select,  learning should be creative, engaging, and most of all authentic. Whether it’s an IT consultant learning to use new software, a nurse refreshing her CPR qualification or a business analyst refreshing his OHS knowledge, all people learn differently.

If you need help getting started with creating courses, Lingel Learning offers a one day workshop we will have you developing and publishing their own eLearning course, no matter how new you are to eLearning. We also provide course development and consulting services.

 

Step 3 – Selecting a Learning Management System

A Learning Management System (LMS) is a software package that enables the management and delivery of learning content and resources to students. LMS systems are web-based to facilitate “anytime, anywhere” access to learning content and administration. One of the industry leading LMS tools is Moodle™, Lingel Learning can demonstrate an LMS and showcase what it has to offer.