Sheridan College

Motivating Academic Learning: A Multi-Modal Interactive Course for ESL Students

A multi-modal ESL course (8 modules) to enhance upper-intermediate ESL learners’ language learning motivation through a digitized participatory methodology.

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Book cover for Motivating Academic Learning (e-book)

Accessibility Features

In this project we implemented elements that comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) as well as design best practices to enhance content variety and interaction for all participants.

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WCAG 2.1 Level AA success criteria

The elements on the various web pages were designed to meet the success criteria defined in the WCAG documentation.

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Alternative Texts and Long Descriptions

Alternative texts (either alt tags or in the surrounding text) are provided for visuals. Interactions that inlcude elements have a text-only alternative as well.

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Closed Captions for Videos

Videos are deployed on YouTube and have close captions enabled (auto-generated with corrections where identified).

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Colour Contrast

We adhered to the client’s brand guidelines and ensured that all custom graphics met the contrast requirements.

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Testing with WAVE and SCREEN Readers

As we developed and deployed content, elements were tested with the Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (WAVE) by WebAim and Screen Readers (ChromeVox and VoiceOver).

Screenshot of a page from the e-book with the table of contents expanded
Decorative images (stock and custom graphics) used to supplement content and drive engagement without compromising accessibility
Visual styling using custom CSS used to create a learning flow from watching a video, through an assessment, and a self-reflection exercise
Mixing multiple H5P elements into a single activity to create a effective learning experience

What was Done?

The following features provide an overview of what was done, overall, for this project

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Instructional Design

Applying multiple instructional design strategies, including UDL to create an engaging learning experience for facilitators and learners.

Digital Accessibility

Implementing web accessibility and digital documents standards to meet WCAG 2.1 level AA criteria for the content.

Web Development

Develop custom CSS and HTML scripts as well as adding, if possible, functionality through internal and external JS resources. 

H5P interactions

Leverage the integration that the Pressbooks instance from eCampus Ontario has with H5P to add interactions to the content.

Video Production

Record and product videos covering course materials as a series of instructor led videos for the topics of the book.

Downloadable Files

Create MS Word files to supplement activities in the course in order to create a workbook alternative and add content variety.

Documentation Tool

The H5P Documentation tool was used across the content to provide an alternative for notes, answer templates, and self-reflection.

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MS Word Templates

We provided MS Word documents to offer more variety to accommodate different learning styles and accessibility requirements. 

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Enhanced Videos

Instead of just embedding YouTune videos, the videos are played using the H5P player, which allows for additional layers of information and interactions to be added to the video.

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Interactive Pages

H5P Elements

Custom Graphics

Page Views

Why we are different

Our team builds universal design and digital accessibility into the development process. From the initial conversation with the client and subject matter experts and through the templates used for collaborating on content and the continuous testing as materials are being uploaded to websites or learning management systems.

 We don’t just focus on getting projects done, but also on informing and being informed by our partners about what and how we can create more inclusive and accessible teaching and learning experiences.