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Description Design for Interactive Learning Resources
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 42 hours
  • Course by University of Colorado Boulder
  • Offered by

About

This course gives you easy access to an innovative description design framework used and created by experts in description design who design descriptions for highly interactive learning resources. Interactive learning resources are common, fun, and effective tools that engage learners in the classroom and in remote learning environments. Many of these interactives rely on the visual display. This limits non-visual experiences, and makes many interactive learning resources inaccessible to learners with significant visual impairments or print- and graphics-related disabilities. Descriptions are verbalized text for supporting non-visual access. This course will show you how to create descriptions, the verbalized text, needed to make interactive learning resources (interactives) accessible to learners who are blind or have a visual impairment (learners with BVI). The course weaves together concepts from inclusive design, web accessibility, and general best practices for description design for non-visual access. The main focus of the course is learning about and using the Description Design Framework created by design researchers at PhET Interactive Simulations. Through a series of design tasks, each preempted with examples and demonstrations, the course walks you through how to design descriptions for an interactive of your choosing. While prior experience in web accessibility, interaction design, and description is useful, it is not required for this course. We share many examples from our work, and include tips and design patterns that we have created and actively use to describe our highly interactive science and math simulations. If you have an interest in creating descriptions for interactive learning resources, join us in this course. The Description Design Framework helps us take a methodical approach to the challenging task of designing descriptions for interactives, and we want to share what we know so others can design engaging descriptions that support non-visual access to interactive learning resources.

Modules

Introduction and Overview

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Introduction and Overview

1 Discussions

  • Connect with Your Peers

1 Videos

  • Introduction and Overview

2 Readings

  • About the Optional Honors Track
  • PhET Courses on Coursera

What is Description Design?

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • What is Description Design?

1 Videos

  • What is Description Design?

2 Readings

  • Image Description Guidelines (from the Diagram Center)
  • Recommended Practices for Video Description (from Description Key)

Description Design Framework

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Description Design Framework

1 Videos

  • Description Design Framework

2 Readings

  • "Storytelling to Sensemaking: A Systematic Framework for Designing Auditory Description Display for Interactives" Article
  • Handout: Description Design Framework in Brief

Screen Reader Software

    • 4 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Understanding Screen Reader Software

1 Discussions

  • Screen Reader Demo Experience

4 Videos

  • Intro to Screen Reader Software
  • Getting Started with Screen Reader Software: VoiceOver
  • Getting Started with Screen Reader Software: NVDA
  • Getting Started with Screen Reader Software: JAWS

4 Readings

  • Handout: What is Web Accessibility?
  • Tip Sheet: Using VoiceOver with a PhET Sim
  • Tip Sheet: Using NVDA with a PhET Simulation
  • Tip Sheet: Using JAWS with a PhET Sim

Choosing an Interactive to Describe

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Choosing an Interactive to Describe

1 Discussions

  • Choosing your Screen Reader and Interactive

2 Videos

  • Choosing an Interactive to Describe
  • More PhET Sims - Possible Design Projects

1 Readings

  • Tip Sheet: Choosing an Interactive to Describe

State Description Overview

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • State Descriptions Basics
  • State Descriptions in More Depth

2 Videos

  • Intro to State Descriptions: Part 1
  • Intro to State Descriptions: Part 2

2 Readings

  • "Storytelling to Sensemaking: A Systematic Framework for Designing Auditory Description Display for Interactives" Article
  • "Implicit scaffolding in Interactive Simulations" Paper

Introduction to Static and Dynamic State Descriptions

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Understanding Static and Dynamic State Descriptions

1 Videos

  • Static and Dynamic State Descriptions

1 Readings

  • Tip Sheet: State Description Design Patterns

Static State Description Design Patterns + Design Task #1

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Static State Description Design Patterns

1 Discussions

  • Discuss Design Task #1

1 Videos

  • Static State Description Design Patterns

2 Readings

  • Design Task #1: Starting Static State Descriptions
  • Tip Sheet: Naming Interactive Objects

Documenting Description Design

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • Documenting Description Design

1 Readings

  • Design Doc Templates

Tips for Designing Navigation Order

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Understanding the Design of Navigation Order

1 Videos

  • Tips for Designing Navigation Order

1 Readings

  • Tip Sheet: Designing and Refining Navigation Order

Help Text + Design Task #2

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Understanding the Design of Help Text

1 Discussions

  • Discuss Design Task #2

1 Videos

  • Help Text and Design Task #2

3 Readings

  • Design Task #2: Hints & Help Text
  • Handout: Interactive Objects by Simulation
  • Tip Sheet: Creating Help Text

Dynamic State Description Overview

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • The Basics of Dynamic State Descriptions

1 Videos

  • Intro to Dynamic State Descriptions

3 Readings

  • Ohm's Law Interactive Description Design Document
  • Dynamic Phrase Builder Tool
  • Handout: Example Dynamic State Descriptions (Resistance in a Wire)

Dynamic Summary Text + Design Task #3

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • More Basic Ideas About Dynamic State Descriptions

1 Discussions

  • Discuss Design Task #3

1 Videos

  • Dynamic Summary Text and Design Task #3

1 Readings

  • Design Task #3: Dynamic Summary Text

Qualitative Scales + Design Task #4

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Understanding the Design of Qualitative Scales

1 Discussions

  • Discuss Design Task #4

1 Videos

  • Intro to Qualitative Scales

2 Readings

  • Handout: Qualitative Scales and Parameters
  • Design Task #4: Qualitative Parameters

Dynamic Representations and Object Details + Design Task #5

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Design Considerations for Dynamic Details for Objects and Representations

1 Discussions

  • Discuss Design Task #5

1 Videos

  • Dynamic Representations and Object Details

1 Readings

  • Design Task #5: More Dynamic State Descriptions

Dynamic Object Names and Help Text + Design Task #6

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Understanding How to Minimize the Need for Dynamic State Descriptions

1 Discussions

  • Discuss Design Task #6

1 Videos

  • Dynamic Object Names and Help Text

1 Readings

  • Design Task #6: Double Check Static States

Refining State Descriptions

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Understanding the Design and Refinement of State Descriptions

1 Videos

  • Refining State Descriptions

1 Readings

  • Tip Sheet: State Description Design Pattern Review

Writing Style for Interactive Description

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Understanding How Writing Style is a Tool for Description Design

1 Discussions

  • Thoughts on State Description Design Patterns

1 Videos

  • Writing Style for Interactive Description

2 Readings

  • "Interactive Scientific Graphics" Report
  • Tip Sheet: Iteration & Writing Style Checklist

Responsive Description Overview

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Understanding the Basics of Responsive Descriptions

1 Videos

  • Intro to Responsive Descriptions

Object Responses: Part 1

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Design and Interaction Considerations for Simple Interactive Objects

1 Videos

  • Intro to Object Responses: Part 1

2 Readings

  • Handout: Initial Object Responses by Interaction Type
  • Tip Sheet: Design Patterns for Single- & Two-State Interactions

Object Responses: Part 2 + Design Task #7

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Design and Interaction Considerations for Complex Interactive Objects

1 Discussions

  • Discuss Design Task #7

1 Videos

  • Intro to Object Responses: Part 2

3 Readings

  • Design Task #7: Creating Object Responses
  • Tip Sheet: Design Patterns for Multi-State & Customized Interactions
  • Tip Sheet: Object Responses and Interaction Types

Context Responses: Part 1

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • The Basics of Context Responses

1 Videos

  • Intro to Context Responses: Part 1

Context Responses: Part 2 + Design Task #8

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Understanding the Categories of Context Responses

1 Discussions

  • Discuss Design Task #8

1 Videos

  • Intro to Context Responses: Part 2

2 Readings

  • Design Task #8: Creating Context Responses
  • Handout: Summary of Context Responses

Evaluating the Interactive Story: Heuristic Evaluation and The Cognitive Walkthrough

    • 1 Videos
    • 6 Readings
    • 2 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Putting it All Together: Evaluating the Interactive Story

2 Peer Review

  • Heuristic Evaluation of State Descriptions for a Peer
  • Cognitive Walkthrough Evaluation of an Interactive Task

1 Videos

  • Putting it All Together: Evaluating the Interactive Story

6 Readings

  • Heuristic Evaluation of User Interfaces
  • Exemplar: Heuristic Evaluation of State Descriptions (John Travoltage)
  • The Cognitive Walkthrough Evaluation Method: A Practitioner's Guide (Technical Report)
  • Cognitive Walkthrough for the Web (Paper)
  • Exemplar: Cognitive Walkthrough (Friction)
  • Exemplar: Cognitive Walkthrough (Gravity Lab Force: Basics)

Investigating the Learner Experience: Methods for Data Collection and Feedback

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Ways to Evaluate Your Description Designs

1 Videos

  • Investigating the Learner Experience: Part 1

Investigating the Learner Experience: Data Analysis and Iteration

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Considerations for Data Analysis and Design Changes

1 Videos

  • Investigating the Learner Experience: Part 2

Preparing for Publication

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Preparing for Publication and Beyond

1 Videos

  • Preparing for Publication and Beyond

Design Challenges

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Share a Design Challenge

1 Videos

  • A Design Challenge for Gravity Force Lab: Basics

1 Readings

  • Handout: Design Challenges for John Travoltage

Interactive Description Design Document

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 PeerReview
Show info about module content

1 Peer Review

  • Interactive Description Design Document and Evaluation of the Description Designs of a Peer

1 Readings

  • Congratulations!

Auto Summary

Dive into the world of accessible education with "Description Design for Interactive Learning Resources," a comprehensive course that equips you with the skills to create engaging and inclusive descriptions for interactive learning tools. Perfectly suited for the Personal Development domain, this course is crafted by experts from PhET Interactive Simulations and is available on Coursera. The course focuses on enabling learners to design verbal descriptions that make interactive learning resources accessible to students with visual impairments. By integrating principles of inclusive design, web accessibility, and best practices for non-visual access, you’ll learn to transform visual-only interactive tools into inclusive educational experiences. Over the span of 2520 minutes, you will be guided through a series of design tasks enriched with examples and demonstrations. You'll master the Description Design Framework, a methodical approach created by leading design researchers, ensuring you can effectively support non-visual learners. Whether you are new to web accessibility and interaction design or looking to deepen your skills, this foundational course provides valuable insights and practical tips. Ideal for educators, designers, and anyone interested in creating accessible learning environments, the course offers a Starter subscription option to get you started on this transformative journey. Join us and contribute to a more inclusive world of interactive learning!

Taliesin L. Smith
Instructors

Taliesin L. Smith

Emily Moore
Instructors

Emily Moore