Presented at 10:00am in Virtual A on Friday, November 13, 2020.
#32281Speaker(s)
- Rachel Kruzel, Higher Education Specialist, Texthelp
- Jennifer Pedersen, Educational Technology Team Lead, University of Alaska Anchorage/Kenai Peninsula College
- Susan Kelmer, Alternate Format Production Program Manager,
Session Details
- Length of Session: 45 minutes
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: Beginner
- Type of session: Pre-conference
Summary
The necessity and popularity of online courses is growing. Finding methods to teach STEM content online and ensure their accessibility is key. This session will focus on EquatIO, Texthelp’s digital STEM content creation tool with integration into common LMS systems with the ability to create accessible content, ensuring access for all learners.
Abstract
Recently, online courses have gained in popularity and necessity. STEM courses have struggled with online instruction due to a lack of methods to teach these courses digitally and within an LMS. Given the move to online classes in 2020, these courses have been forced into online platforms. Finding tools that facilitate this instruction has been a challenge for instructional designers and department chairs in the areas of math, science, engineering, technology, economics, finance, and operations and supply chain management. Ensuring the digital accessibility of these content areas and online courses is a must for schools implementing Electronic & information Technology (EIT) Policies on their campus. EquatIO, Texthelp’s digital STEM creation tool provides institutions a solution with built-in accessibility and UDL features that every user can benefit from. In addition, those working on document accessibility or those supporting students with disabilities can use the tool to create accessible course materials.
Keypoints
- Online courses with STEM content require tools to teach this content digitally and within an LMS.
- Ensuring accessibility in online STEM based courses is a necessity for campuses implementing E.I.T. policies.
- Tools which facilitate the creation and remediation of accessible STEM content is a necessity for colleges.
Disability Areas
All Areas
Topic Areas
Accessible Course Design, Accessible Educational Materials, Alternate Format, Assistive Technology, Faculty Development & Support, Uncategorized
Speaker Bio(s)
Rachel Kruzel
Rachel Kruzel, ATP, is the Higher Education Specialist for Texthelp where she supports higher education institutions across the United States and Canada as they explore, adopt, and implement technology based literacy, STEM, and accessibility based solutions to help create more inclusive, equitable, and accessible campuses and learning spaces for all students and campus members. She is a RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professional and spent over ten years working as an Assistive Technology and Accommodations Specialist in Disability Resource Offices prior to coming to Texthelp. During her time in higher ed, she built and developed assistive technology programs at both schools she worked at, as well as coordinated the provision of accommodations. Rachel is a national expert in the areas of assistive technology, digital accessibility, accessible course materials, and accommodation provision around testing and notetaking. Rachel presents both regionally and nationally on these topics and others, as well as consults with students, parents, schools, and organizations.
Jennifer Pedersen
Dr. Jennifer Pedersen is an Educational Psychologist with more than 15 years in higher education. She has extensive training and experience in all aspects of face-to-face and online course design and delivery. Dr. Pedersen has a passion for student success; she specializes in helping faculty incorporate Universal Design principles when developing course material and delivering content in a manner that attracts all learning styles. In her current position, Dr. Pedersen assumed responsibility for campus wide accessibility training, and leads her team in piloting new technology to assist in helping faculty and staff create an inclusive and accessible educational experience where all students can achieve their educational dreams.
Susan Kelmer
Susan Kelmer serves as the Alternate Format Access Coordinator since July, 2013. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University Wisconsin in 1998. Prior to working with the University of Colorado, she was Lab Coordinator and Access Specialist with St. Louis Community College in St. Louis, Missouri. She was past secretary of Access Technologists in Higher Education Network, and currently serves on the board of the Access Text Network. In addition to providing students with alternate format materials, she presents to faculty, staff and colleagues about techniques for making print and electronic documents accessible to persons with disabilities.