This year I have been fortunate to pilot Blackboard Ally. Blackboard Ally is software that sits within Moodle and automatically checks the resources in my modules for accessibility, helping me to make sure that they can be used by all the students enrolled. I became involved in this project through my work with City’s Digital…Continue Reading The Blackboard Ally Pilot
Share your views on hybrid teaching Have you heard of Inclusive Synchronous Learning Activities (ISLA) at City? Have you used, or thought about using hybrid/dual-delivery teaching? We’re keen to understand how this new mode of teaching, where some students are physically in the classroom and others are online at the same time, has been experienced…Continue Reading Share your views on ISLA – hybrid teaching at City
From the DA team: this blog was originally published on 20 September 2021. We are re-sharing the post to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2022. We know that making your content digitally accessible might seem like a daunting and time-consuming task. However, it is important to remember that accessibility is a journey, not a destination. We are…Continue Reading From the Archive: Quick wins that can make your content more accessible and your practice more inclusive
With assessments going on now, you might find yourself running at full capacity and your mind being more busy than usual. Last week we had Lizi Green from AbilityNet present some techy solutions that can help overcome common barriers to learning and have the potential to increase your academic performance. Apps offer agency for neurodiverse…Continue Reading Making the most of your study time and looking after your mental health
Julie and I had led on the procurement for an accessibility solution for Moodle. We worked with stakeholders on the requirements and reviewed tender documents and arranged product demonstrations. We were very excited to finally use Blackboard Ally on our Moodle modules so we could see how the requirements translated into practice. Olivia’s Blackboard Ally…Continue Reading A first look at Blackboard Ally
Microsoft Teams and Zoom are two of the biggest platforms used for learning, collaborating and working. Each platform has its own identity, packed with must-have features and some hidden ones too! It can be hard deciding which is best for a particular event. But don’t worry, hopefully, this article will help guide you. Using Zoom…Continue Reading Comparing Teams and Zoom for an accessible online learning experience
In 2020, when so many events that would have once taken place in person switched to being fully online ones, I feasted at the newly laden CPD table, gorging on a seemingly far higher serving of webinars, conferences and group discussions than I’d typically attend in a ‘normal’ year. This meant a deeper and accelerated…Continue Reading Shared Experience, Different Perspectives: 10 things about #ALTc21
Before the pandemic you may have been able to get away with avoiding using technology in your teaching or seeing it as an optional extra. That all changed in March 2020 when City like all universities and schools, shifted to online learning. While many of us are back in the classroom, it’s fair to say…Continue Reading Developing Digital Education: a new module lifts off on 10th March
ISLA We are pleased to announce that a number of ISLA rooms have been signed off across Northampton Square. These include: C302, C309, A214, D104 and FG05. At Bunhill Row, most learning spaces on the 2nd and 3rd floors are now ISLA enabled for hybrid teaching. Further ISLA rooms will be signed off later this term….Continue Reading ISLA Update – February 2022
As we use our computers, phones, and other devices to shop, bank online, and more, with all the convenience the internet brings, it’s important to be aware of potential risks. Spam and Junk Emails Spam or junk email is unsolicited or unwanted email which in most cases: Have poor spelling and grammar Ask or demand…Continue Reading Online Fraud Prevention