Chuck Busby, Author at Accessibility Updates

Accessibility Updates

Join us for the fix your content challenge

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Missouri State University Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning

Date: Thursday, May 20

Each year, the global accessibility community unites on the third Thursday of May for Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) to highlight the need for more inclusive digital content. We seek to join the conversation by inspiring and motivating institutions across the globe to demonstrate how accessible content is better content.

For more details, visit the event web page.

Register for the challenge!

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Attend the Web Accessibility Summit

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faculty center for teaching and learning logo

Date: Wednesday, May 29
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Glass Hall

The Web Accessibility Summit is a one-day conference that is focused on website accessibility. If you are a website or social media content contributor on campus, this conference will be beneficial to you.

The schedule is packed with digital accessibility sessions, including the following:

  • Inclusive design workshop with Derek Featherstone, international authority on accessibility and inclusive design
  • Single-page application workshop with Rachel Cherry, founder/director of WPCampus
  • Social media keynote with Chris D’Orso, SUNY College at Brockport, and Justin Romack, Texas A&M University
  • How to write for accessibility with Kai Raymer and Kevin Agee, Missouri State University
  • Transcribing techniques with Michael Fienen, nuCloud

For more information contact Sara Clark.

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New blackboard accessibility tool available in January

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A new component of Blackboard was announced in Faculty Senate last month called Blackboard Ally. Blackboard Ally automatically scans content loaded to Blackboard and provides an assessment of the content’s accessibility and assistance in increasing the accessibility of course content. Ally uses visual indicators, which provide a measure of the accessibility of your course, which will be very apparent once all courses are activated with the Ally feature. This new product will help to increase awareness of the level of accessibility of our digital course materials and provide tools to help us achieve our commitment to accessibility and promote a more inclusive campus.

Support will be offered for Ally in January 2019.

  • The Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) has developed a knowledge base related to Ally and has created a web page to answer your questions.
  • A list of faculty will serve as Ally Ambassadors to assist you with the implementation of the Ally product.
  • As Ally is activated for all courses, the University will offer additional trainings related to Ally and university accessibility standards.

Please know that as the University continues to implement Ally there is not an expectation that faculty will immediately be able to address all of the issues identified by the Ally product; however, your willingness is appreciated to engage with Ally with the goal of increasing the University’s overall accessibility over time.

The post New blackboard accessibility tool available in January appeared first on Provost Communiqué.

This post originally published on Provost Communiqué.

New blackboard accessibility tool available soon

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A new component of Blackboard was announced in Faculty Senate last month called Blackboard Ally. Blackboard Ally automatically scans content loaded to Blackboard and provides an assessment of the content’s accessibility and assistance in increasing the accessibility of course content. Ally uses visual indicators, which provide a measure of the accessibility of your course, which will be very apparent once all courses are activated with the Ally feature. This new product will help to increase awareness of the level of accessibility of our digital course materials and provide tools to help us achieve our commitment to accessibility and promote a more inclusive campus.

Support will be offered for Ally in January 2019.

  • The Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL) has developed a knowledge base related to Ally and has created a web page to answer your questions.
  • A list of faculty will serve as Ally Ambassadors to assist you with the implementation of the Ally product.
  • As Ally is activated for all courses, the University will offer additional trainings related to Ally and university accessibility standards.

Please know that as the University continues to implement Ally there is not an expectation that faculty will immediately be able to address all of the issues identified by the Ally product; however, your willingness is appreciated to engage with Ally with the goal of increasing the University’s overall accessibility over time.

The post New blackboard accessibility tool available soon appeared first on Provost Communiqué.

This post originally published on Provost Communiqué.

FCTL Events and Announcements

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Faculty Writing Retreats

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Meyer Library, 204
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The Faculty Write Program focuses on promoting faculty productivity and camaraderie through writing-based experiences such as interdisciplinary writing retreat held about twice a month, workshops, and 15-day writing challenges. Writing retreats include a light lunch, opportunities to develop a strong network of peer support and accountability, and voluntary feedback sessions. Dr. Mandy Benedict-Chambers facilitates the sessions.

  • February 8
  • February 23
  • March 8
  • March 29
  • April 13
  • April 26
  • May 21–22

Mini-Diversity Workshops

Location for all sessions: Meyer Library 204

Registration: Please register through My Learning Connection. For more information, contact the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning at 836-3059.

Event flyer: Download event flyer

Workshop Session 1
“Critical Perspectives: Exploring the Educator’s Identity”

As an educator, have you ever considered how ‘identity’ is interwoven into your work? This session will encourage reflection on how your presence dictates your approach and receptivity with students. Opportunities for immediate application(s) will be discussed in an interactive forum.

Wednesday, January 24, 8:00–9:30 a.m.
Thursday, January 25, 3:30–5:00 p.m.
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Workshop Session 2
“Critical Perspectives: Micro-aggressions in Academia”

Have you ever witnessed or experienced a micro-aggression on campus? This session will examine varying levels of micro-aggressions as it corresponds with intent/impact. Opportunities for immediate application(s) will be discussed in an interactive forum.

Wednesday, February 21, 8:00–9:30 a.m.
Thursday, February 22, 3:30–5:00 p.m.
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Workshop Session 3
“Critical Perspectives: Assumptions on Campus”

Consider the impact of assumptions on perceptions and subsequent interactions with others. This session will allow you to converse in meaningful dialogues regarding miseducation and socialization. Opportunities for immediate application(s) will be discussed in an interactive forum.

Wednesday, April 4, 8:00–9:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 5, 3:30–5:00 p.m.
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Workshop Session 4
“Critical Perspectives: The University and Social Justice”

Building on previous workshop discussions, contemplate your call to action for implementing socially just practices at the university. This session will prompt critical conversations regarding steps for progress. Opportunities for immediate application(s) will be discussed in an interactive forum.

Wednesday, May 2 8:00–9:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 3 3:30–5:00 p.m.
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These workshops are sponsored by the Division for Diversity & Inclusion and the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning.

Book Talk — “Blind Spot”

Dates and Times: Wednesday, February 7, 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 8, 12:30–2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 3, 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Location: FCTL (LIBR 204)

Explore your hidden biases in “Blind Spot” by psychologists Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald. This is a ‘must read’ whether you use it in your course or just to broaden your horizons. Join us for a scholarly discussion of this engaging and challenging book that examines the role of implicit cognitive processes in our daily interactions with others. Pick up a free copy at the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning while supplies last.

Book Talk Goals:

  • To create a sense of community by increasing interdisciplinary thinking and dialogue among faculty and staff through shared academic and co-curricular experiences
  • To promote a deeper understanding of the public affairs mission and its wider societal impact through a critical analysis of spontaneous evaluations and behaviors.
  • To explore implications of privilege and power along with the interacting effects of implicit bias.

For more information, contact Adena Young-Jones, University Diversity Fellow.

The Book Talk Series is sponsored by the Division for Diversity & Inclusion and the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning.

FCTL Teaching Awards

Both full-time and per-course faculty will be recognized for their outstanding achievements.

Full-time Faculty Teaching Awards

Submission deadline: January 31, 2018

The FCTL Faculty Teaching Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of faculty. Because effective teaching can be accomplished through many different approaches, the FCTL Advisory Council wants to recognize faculty contributions in areas that are important to the mission and long-term goals at Missouri State University.

Awards will be made in the following areas:

Accessibility

Accessible learning provides all students with equitable access and opportunity for student success regardless of disabilities. This award recognizes faculty who have taken a proactive approach toward accessible teaching practices, course design, and ensuring all instructional materials are accessible.

Diversity

Students come to the university with many different experiences, different ways of seeing the world, and different expectations. This award recognizes faculty who focus on culturally responsive teaching and faculty who demonstrate a scholarly approach integrating diversity into the classroom.

High impact learning

High impact learning practices demand considerable time and effort, involve learning outside of the classroom, encourage collaboration and meaningful interactions with faculty and other students, and provide frequent and substantive feedback. This award recognizes faculty who have adopted teaching strategies that focus on the student’s ability to reflect critically on their own assumptions, beliefs, and basic worldviews.

Eligibility

Full-time faculty members with at least one year of teaching experience at MSU. 

Application criteria:
  • Letter of interest from the faculty member that provides a philosophy of teaching encompassing one of the focus areas: accessibility, diversity, or high impact learning.
  • Letter of support from their department head.
  • Up to three supporting artifacts that provide evidence of their accomplishments in their chosen focus area. 
    • Faculty should choose supporting artifacts that characterize their teaching and are suitable to their particular discipline or learning context. 
    • Student evaluation feedback may be used in situations where students speak directly to teaching effectiveness. 
    • Innovative or meaningful assignments and assessments that provide evidence of student learning may be included or described. Please respect student privacy when providing evidence of such outcomes.

Contact the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning if you have any questions about the application criteria or the selection process.

Recipients will receive their FCTL Faculty Teaching Award at the All-Faculty Recognition Reception.

The FCTL Advisory Council will invite recipients of this award to preside over a panel discussion at the annual Showcase on Teaching and Learning. 

Per-Course Faculty Teaching Award

Nomination deadline: January 31, 2018

The FCTL Per-Course Faculty Award recognizes the commitment and contributions of part-time faculty members in helping students at Missouri State achieve academic success. This may done by bringing experiences from their field of work into the classroom, through innovative teaching, mentoring or advising students, or other ways of helping students to be successful academically and professionally.

Application criteria:

Letters of nomination from department head, program coordinator, or faculty member.

Per-Course Faculty Award recipients will be recognized at the All-Faculty Recognition Reception.

The FCTL Advisory Council will invite recipients of this award to preside over a per-course panel discussion at the annual Showcase on Teaching and Learning.

Save the Date

Online Course Development Boot Camp

Monday–Friday, May 21–25
Monday–Friday, August 6–10

Online Course Development Boot Camps are an immersive-style workshop, which will provide faculty with hands-on training and work time to develop an online course. At the end of the boot camp, you will have developed a significant portion of your course and earn a badge which applies toward an online course certification.

Summer Writing Retreat

Monday–Friday, July 16–20, 8:30 a.m.–4-:00 p.m.
Alumni Center Hospitality Room

The summer 2018 interdisciplinary faculty writing retreat is designed to:

  • Create a motivated and positive environment that fosters excellent work
  • Encourage productivity through accountability and camaraderie
  • Help you accomplish a writing project this summer

The retreat includes five days of committed writing time, mini-sessions on removing productivity challenges and fostering good writing habits, discussions on writing style, grammar, and more. 

The retreat is open to anyone working on a scholarly writing project. The goal is for each participant to arrive with a work in progress and leave with a manuscript prepared for submission.

Writing Retreat Session Agenda:

8:30–9 a.m. Continental Breakfast and Goal Setting
9:00–12:00 p.m. Writing Time
12:00–1:00 p.m. Luncheon and group discussion about writing habits and strategies
1:00–4:00 p.m. Writing Time

FREE for all MSU faculty and staff; a light breakfast and lunch will be provided each day.  

Email Dr. Mandy Benedict-Chambers, Department of Childhood Education & Family Studies if you have any questions. 

Summer Accessibility Institute

Monday–Thursday, June 25–28, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

The Accessible Learning Institute is an intensive four-day program designed to help participants identify and resolve accessibility concerns in their courses. In creating an awareness around physical and cognitive disabilities and the learning barriers often experienced by those students, the program hopes to increase the adoption of proactive approaches to course design that will reduce the need for students to request certain types of academic accommodations that could delay student access to information.

Support for Online Course Development

The FCTL has instructional designers that are available to work with you throughout the course development process. They can assist you in using technology and creating an online or blended course that is of the same high standards as your traditional lecture-based course. For more information, email the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning or call (417) 836-3059.

For more information on any of these events and opportunities, please email the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning.