Why is Accessibility Important?
Bowdoin strives to be inclusive to all members of our community. Considering accessibility enhances the experience of all participants. Increasing all students’ comfort level and ability to participate—regardless of established disability—results in a more inclusive and more productive learning environment for everyone. These suggestions were developed with common disability accommodations in mind however, the fundamental rationale is that Universal Design strategies benefit all learners. (Many instructors are already implementing these recommendations, see one tip below.)
Examples
- In addition to in-class exams, consider using project-based assignments, presentations, reflections via journals or blogs, portfolios, podcasts, videos, case studies, or take-home exams with no time limit.
Benefits for Students
- Reduces test anxiety
- Promotes diverse learning styles
- More opportunities for self-grading/self-assessment
- Accommodation addressed: Extended time on exams
Positive Side Effects for Instructors
- Makes grading more fun
- Tracks students’ progress
- Offers different points of assessment during a project
- Learn how to (create and) grade non-standard assignments (Tip: Visit the Course Design Institute or schedule meetings with Katie Byrnes to consult on grading)
Instructor tip: In some of my courses, I assign creative writing prompts early in the semester to encourage students to cultivate an experiential/embodied relation to the course and not simply an intellectual one. Our department has found that many students are clamoring for the opportunity to write more personally in relation to the more academic work we assign. I call these “low stakes” assignments. Moreover, I’m careful to let students know that I will be the only person reading their papers. You’d be surprised to learn that such prompts enable many of our students to make connections with the primary material of a specific course in ways that will often surprise both them and me. It’s awesome! (Prof. Guy Mark Foster)
Lesley Levy, Keona Ervin, and Tina Chong from the Accessibility Task Force are excited to share a series of accessibility suggestions for your teaching. Each Teaching Times newsletter for Fall 2024, they’ll present a new tip. Try it out in your class and share your experiences and insights with us. Email [email protected] with your accessibility practices. Let’s work together to create a more inclusive learning environment for all students.
More information on Universal Design principles can be found at https://udlguidelines.cast.org/