Assessing the Accessibility of Web 2.0 Tools

Presented at 2:15pm in Governors Square 11 on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.

Speaker(s)

• Wendolyn Velez-Torres, Senior Instructional Technologist, Coppin State Univesity

Session Details

• Length of Session: 2-hr
• Format: Bring-your-own Device Workshop: Internet enabled device
• Expertise Level: Beginner
• Type of session: General Conference

Summary

Web 2. 0 technologies have allowed faculty to reach students in a whole new way. When used effectively, these tools can help focus the attention of students and help faculty reach different kinds of learners on different levels. Not all Web 2. 0 tools are accessible to people with disabilities. This hands-on session will discuss and illustrate what to look for when you are evaluating Web 2.0 Tools.  Participants will get concrete examples of what to look for as well as scoring template they can use for evaluation. Please bring an Internet Enabled Device to fully participate.

Abstract

The use of Web 2.0 Tools provides our students with many benefits. Web 2.0 tools are web-based tools that focus on user collaboration, sharing of user-generated content, and social networking. Many are free to use and work on multiple platforms. Many of the online tools available, however, have accessibility flaws which make it difficult for disabled students to navigate and get the content you are sharing. The promise of Web 2.0 can only be achieved if every student is able to fully engage with the content. During this workshop, participants will learn what elements they should look for when they are considering using a Web based instructional tool to engage their students. A fully accessible Web 2.0 tool will be shared. During the workshop, participants will learn how the Web 2.0 Tool Score card was developed. Participants will then use the Web 2.0 Tool Score card to assess the accessibility of a web 2.0 tool of their choosing. The presenter will assist all participants in this assessment.

Participants will also receive digital copies of the score cards so they can use it and share it with their colleagues. Participants will be able to identify six elements to look for when assessing Web 2.0 tools for accessibility. Participants will be able to understand how to use the Web 2.0 scorecard for instructors, students and apps. Participants will be able to identify the potential and limitations of the Web 2.0 tools assessed.

Keypoints

1. Many Web 2.0 have product design flaws that make them inaccessible to many students with disabilities. This makes it difficult for disabled students to fully engage and participate in class activities.
2. When you share inaccessible content, you are sending a clear message of exclusion.
3. Knowing the pros and cons of Web tools, will let educators know what tools they can use with their students.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Accessible Educational Materials, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

Wendolyn Velez-Torres

Wendy Torres has been teaching for over 21 years and has a BA in Special Education and a Masters of Education in Instructional Technology. She is currently the Senior Instructional Technologist and an Adjunct Instructor for Coppin State University.

She has given numerous professional workshops for Roland Park Country School as well as the St. Francis of Assisi School, the Digital Harbor School, Coppin State University, the University of Maryland, the Maryland Distance Learning Association and the Online Learning Consortium.

In 2014, she was selected to appear in The Latino American Who's Who(Volume IV). This edition will appear in The Library of Congress in Washington D.C., corporate and academic libraries nationally.