Feedback and Accessibility: Inclusive Communication with Students in Online Courses
Providing feedback in online courses is essential for every student’s success, but it can be particularly challenging to effectively communicate feedback to students living with disabilities. Ensuring that your feedback is accessible and inclusive can make a significant difference in their learning experience. This blog will offer pointers to help instructors communicate in ways that support all students, especially those with disabilities.
Use Accessible Language and Formats
Use clear, concise language in your feedback, avoiding jargon and complex terminology. Break down detailed explanations into simpler steps or bullet points to make them easier to understand. The Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) offers tools that can help you provide accessible feedback to your students. Use Canvas’s comment feature for text-based feedback, which is typically screen reader-friendly. For more personalized feedback, you can upload an audio or video recording to Canvas but remember to include written transcripts or captions to ensure accessibility.
Provide Timely and Regular Feedback
Timely feedback is essential in online courses, especially for students with disabilities. Set clear expectations for when students will receive feedback and stick to those timelines. Offer smaller, more frequent assessments to allow students to improve continuously and address issues early on.
Encourage Two-Way Communication
Inclusive communication also involves receiving feedback from your students. Encourage them to share their thoughts on the feedback they receive and to ask questions if anything is unclear. Set up regular check-ins or office hours using accessible formats like video calls, chat, or email.
Final Thoughts
By using clear language, leveraging LMS tools, providing timely feedback, and encouraging two-way communication, you can create an accessible and inclusive online learning environment that supports all students, regardless of their abilities.
Clemson Online offers resources and personalized expertise to help instructors effectively use learning technologies to enhance accessibility. Instructors can schedule a consultation with Clemson Online to receive guidance on the Canvas LMS system, accessibility tools, and inclusive online communication by following this link.
Upcoming Events
Clemson Online Drop-Ins, Session 1
Monday, August 19, 1:00-3:00pm
Drop in for one-on-one support with Canvas. Whether you have a quick question or want support with your own course, our team is here to help!
Ensure you are logged into Zoom with your Clemson ID to access this meeting.
Clemson Online Drop-Ins, Session 2
Tuesday, August 20, 10:00-2:00pm
Drop in for one-on-one support with Canvas. Whether you have a quick question or want support with your own course, our team is here to help!
Ensure you are logged into Zoom with your Clemson ID to access this meeting.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions about drop-ins.
New Quizzes Basics
Friday, August 23, 2:00-3:00pm
Examine interesting features of the Canvas New Quiz engine and learn how to build out questions, use item banks, and learn new ways to navigate the tool quickly. This training will also cover the standard settings and adjustments instructors can make to tailor the quiz to their needs.
Facilitated by David Bassett, Learning Technology Manager.
Registration: New Quizzes Basics.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions about this session.
Clemson Online Summer 2024 Events Calendar
Review our Summer 2024 Events Calendar to see what Online Instruction Development opportunities await!
We have a robust lineup of topics and live training formats to support your use of Canvas and other e-learning tools. Topics cover demonstrations of using Kaltura, engaging your students, and workshops to get your Canvas site ready to teach!
All of our live training is recorded. Registrants will automatically receive a link to that day’s video after it has been processed.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions regarding these sessions.
Clemson Online – Where Tech and Teaching Meet
